§ Mrs. Millie Millerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities currently make no provision for the education of handicapped children under the age of 5 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss Joan LestorIn January 1975, the latest date for which information is available, all local education authorities made some provision of this kind.
§ Mrs. Millie Millerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has given to local education authorities about the needs of handicapped children for education at the earliest possible age; if he will ensure that such children are protected from the cuts recommended in his Department's Circular 10/75; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss Joan LestorSection 34 of the Education Act 1944 imposes responsibility on local education authorities for identifying children who may require special360W education; and the Department has taken suitable opportunities over the years to stress the importance for handicapped children of education at the earliest possible age. In March 1975 a circular of guidance on the discovery of children requiring special education and the assessment of their needs was issued. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. It is for local education authorities to decide the ways in which reduction in the planned growth of their expenditure should be effected; but in outlining his priorities for educational expenditure my right hon. Friend has emphasised the importance of giving adequate special consideration to the needs of the educationally disadvantaged.