§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she will give details of her proposals to increase the provision of educational facilities for autistic children in areas outside the South-East of England;
(2) when she proposes to call for information from local education authorities on the action they have undertaken to provide facilities for autistic children.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe responsibility for initiating proposals for additional educational provision lies with local education authorities. I am considering issuing a Circular of guidance about the educational needs of autistic children, which would include a request for information about the numbers of autistic children and the educational provision made or planned for them.