Advisory Committee on Handicapped Children

HC Deb 25 October 1973 vol 861 c672W

Mr. Parkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the terms of reference under which the Advisory Committee on Handicapped Children operates.

Mrs. Thatcher

It is to advise me on such matters relating to children requiring special educational treatment as I may submit to it or it may consider require special investigation.

Mr. Parkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many reports have been published by the Advisory Committee on Handicapped Children since July 1970; on what subjects it has reported; and whether these reports are available in full to hon. Members.

Mrs. Thatcher

One, in 1972, entitled "Children with Specific Reading Difficulties". A copy is available in the Library. I have also received from the committee two sets of proposals on research needs in special education. Report on Education No. 77, "Special Education: A Fresh Look", a copy of which is in the Library, contained a reference to the committee's thinking about the possible abolition of statutory categories of handicap.