§ Mr SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many speech therapists are available for Scottish schools; and of these how many are employed(a) in Strathclyde and (b) in Glasgow.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythInformation is not held centrally in the form requested.
§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the schools in Glasgow to which speech therapy services are provided, showing the number of pupils requiring this service in each school, the number of hours of service provided to each school and the average hours given to each pupil in need.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThis information is not held centrally.
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Mr. SiliarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which authorities in Scotland have statutory responsibilities for supply of speech therapists to Scottish schools; what recent discussions he has had with them; and if he will make a statement on Government policy on this matter.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythStatutory responsibility rests with education authorities to secure the provision of speech therapy for children whose record of needs specifies that requirement. The service is almost exclusively provided by speech therapists employed by health boards. In February last year I met the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss therapy services, including speech therapy services, for school children, and in March I met the chairmen of health boards who undertook to review the provision of services in their areas. I have repeatedly encouraged joint assessment and planning of services and in November 1988 published a planning council report about planning effective speech therapy services.