HC Deb 24 July 1974 vol 877 cc495-6W
Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware of the grave lack of educational facilities for mentally handicapped adults in York- shire; and if he will take action to deal with the situation.

Mr. Prentice

The educational needs of the disadvantaged throughout the country are among the subjects I hope to include in my consultations with local authority associations about the Russell Report. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services hopes to issue a circular before the end of the year which, in consultation with my Department, will advise local authorities about the contribution which the further education service can make to the educational needs of the mentally handicapped in adult training centres. I know that an interesting experiment for 16-to 19-yearolds is taking place at a college of further education in Leeds.