§ 22 Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to discuss the provision of speech therapy for children with special educational needs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for the City of Durham (Mr. Steinberg) on 21 June at column523
§ 32. Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much he estimates the need for speech therapy was increased by the Education Act 539W 1981; what representations he has received which suggest that existing provision is failing to meet the increased need; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnI do not consider the need for speech therapy was increased by the Education Act 1981: but the representations I have received indicate that the procedures introduced by the Act have, in some areas, led to a more realistic assessment of the incidence of that need among schoolchildren. The provision of speech therapy is the responsibility of the district health authorities, and a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Social Services.