§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust concerning the recommendations of "Arts and Disabled People", the report of a committee of inquiry under the chairmanship of Sir Richard Attenborough; what action he has taken or will be taking; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldenMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received representations both from Sir Richard Attenborough when the report was published and later from the Carnegie council. A deputation from the council was received by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Mr. Dunn) on 6 March 1986 to discuss those recommendations of the report which refer to the education service. These accord with the Government's general policies on provision for special educational needs, but are mainly addressed to local education authorities and other local bodies, which must themselves decide how to allocate the resources available to them. My right hon. Friend has made it clear that the establishment of a central fund for building adaptations is not practicable given the structure on which the funding of educational provision is based.