§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his proposals for changes in special education and the likely timetable for legislative and executive enactment. [34372]
§ Mr. AncramThe Government intend to bring before Parliament later this year a draft Education (Northern Ireland) Order which will include new provisions relating to special education similar to those introduced in England and Wales by the Education Act 1993. Consultation on the proposed legislation has recently taken place and responses are currently under consideration. The Government's decisions on the form of the draft order and its proposed implementation will be announced as soon as possible.