§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what guidelines the Scottish Education Department has issued to local education authorities concerning the testing for dyslexia among young schoolchildren; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what recent consultations have been conducted between officials of the Scottish Education Department and local education authorities concerning the detection of dyslexia among schoolchildren; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 23 October 1989]: Responsibility for identifying children who have difficulty with reading or writing rests with education authorities, whose teaching staff are becoming increasingly well-equipped, through improved training, to recognise and to help such children. While the Scottish Education Department has not issued guidance or held consultations with authorities, its inspectorate has, in approving teacher training courses, ensured that these now contain a special educational needs component. Special educational needs diploma courses include specific instruction in recognising dyslexia.