§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what is his assessment of the adequacy of the supply of educational psychologists; and if he will make a statement;
(2) when he intends to issue guidelines to local education authorities about minimum staffing levels for educational psychology services based on the Warnock report recommendations of 1978;
(3) what measures he will take to reduce waiting lists for children to be seen by educational psychologists.
§ Mr. ForthI refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave to him on 19 and 24 MayOfficial Report, columns 547 and 138 respectively. My right hon. Friend has seen no evidence to suggest that there are unacceptable delays for children waiting to be seen by educational psychologists. Local education authorities are responsible for determining the staffing levels of their educational psychology services in order to fulfil their statutory responsibilities. The number of educational psychologists has increased by 31 per cent. since 1985.