§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is in a position to make a further announcement about the date for implementing the remaining provisions of the Education Act 1981.
§ Sir Keith Joseph:Preparation of the regulations and circular on the new procedures for carrying out assessments and making statements of special educational need has taken longer than expected because of the need for extensive consultations with all the various bodies concerned. It is now unlikely that the texts can be published before the end of December. Local education authorities will need at least two to three months from the issue of the circular and regulations in which to make the necessary changes to their local procedures and arrangements. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I therefore propose to bring the remaining provisions of the Education Act 1981 into force on 1 April, 1983, and not 1 January as announced earlier.