§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Prime Minister when the responsibility for educating mentally handicapped children will be transferred to the Department of Education and Science; what advance preparations are being made on this transfer; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I told the House on 26th November, the Government have decided that responsibility for mentally handicapped children in England and Wales will be transferred to the education service. Within the next few days my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science will be sending to the local authority, professional and other bodies concerned a paper which has been prepared as a basis for consultation on major questions affecting staff. The date of the transfer will depend on the outcome of those consultations.