§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has issued any guidance to Scottish local authorities on the integration of disabled pupils in normal schools.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe principle of integration, related to the individual needs of handicapped children, was advocated to authorities in a circular issued in 1955. Since then ordinary schools have increasingly developed their ability to educate handicapped children with their contemporaries. Guidance given recently to education, health and social work authorities about the special educational needs provisions of the Education (Scotland) Act 1981 has stressed that the school placement of handicapped children must reflect their individual abilities, circumstances and needs. The parents of such children have the same rights as any others in the matter of choice of school.