HC Deb 24 May 1976 vol 912 c66W
Mr. Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what screening is undertaken by local authoritries to detect children who suffer from petit mal in order that they may have the earliest possible treatment.

Dr. Owen

I have been asked to reply.

Screening tests and examinations for pre-school and school-aged children, organised by area health authorities, are designed to detect deviations from normal development for whatever reason. No separate screening procedures are applied for petit mal, but where a child is suspected of suffering any form of disability, including epilepsy, diagnostic tests are carried out.