§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) in view of the deep concern of parents and others about the decision to drop the term "special care school", what representations has he or his Department received; and if he will reconsider this decision;
(2) why the term "special care school" was changed to "school for the mentally handicapped";
(3) what bodies and organisations in Northern Ireland pressed for the term "special care school" to be dropped and replaced by "school for the mentally handicapped", and what consultations took place with them and others closely affected.
§ Mr. Alison[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1979, c. 482]: The consultative document on services for the mentally handicapped published in April 1976 formed the basis for comprehensive discussions with a number of interested parties on services for the mentally handicapped. Subsequently, the policy paper "Services for the Mentally Handicapped in Northern Ireland—Policy Objectives" published in July 1978 announced the intention to refer to services "for the mentally handicapped" rather than to "special care" services.
This decision was in accordance with the policy of providing services for the 836W mentally handicapped in this one way as for any other client group rather than identifying the mentally handicapped as in need of some form of special care.
The change in title of schools for the mentally handicapped is in keeping with this policy. There have been no representations about the change and I have no plans to review the decision.