HC Deb 01 December 1972 vol 847 cc257-8W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many thalidomide children have been assessed by a team of assessors including medical, para-medical, technological, social service and educational experts with a view to providing technical equipment to assist thalidomide children to receive a full education; and how much progress has been made;

(2) if she is satisfied with the amount of technical equipment being provided from public funds for the education of thalidomide children; and if she will have a discussion with organisations concerned with thalidomide victims on this matter.

Mrs. Thatcher

All severely physically handicapped children will have been seen by a multi-disciplinary team by the time they reach school age; and they are kept under review and their individual needs reassessed throughout their school years. Local education authorities provide whatever technical equipment is needed for educational purposes, and I have no evidence to show that children's education is suffering through lack of suitable equipment.