§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what additional moneys have been allocated to local education authorities in consequence of the new responsibilities placed upon them by the provisions of the Education (Handicapped Children) Act, 1970; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ThatcherOn 1st April, 1971, local education authorities took over from Local Health Authorities two building programmes of approximately £1 million per annum each for 1971–72 and 1972–73. The level of future programmes will be decided in the light of an assessment now being made of educational provision for children in hospitals for the mentally handicapped and in the new special schools. Arrangements are in hand for increasing the output of trained teachers of the mentally handicapped: 300 places will be available this autumn in courses at 12 Colleges and Departments of Education, and most of the recruits to these will come from outside the service.