§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many courses are run for sign language learners; and what plans he has to extend this number;
(2) whether he has any plans to increase the level of sign language support in mainstream schools;
(3) how many registered sign language practitioners there are in (a) Yorkshire and Humberside and (b) the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. FallonThe Education Act 1981 places the responsibility for making appropriate educational provision for children with special education needs on each local education authority. It is not for the Government to prescribe which form of communication should be employed in schools where there are pupils with hearing impairments, nor the level of support they require. Such decisions are best made in the light of local needs and circumstances.
Information is not available centrally about the number of courses for sign language learners or the number of registered sign language practitioners.