HC Deb 11 November 1980 vol 992 c108W
27. Miss Wright

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are his intentions regarding the implementation of the Warnock report proposals.

Sir George Young

The Government published their response to the Warnock report in the White Paper "Special Needs in Education" (Cmnd. 7996) and hope to be able to introduce early legislation. Statutory, professional and voluntary organisations have been consulted and their responses to the proposals outlined in the White Paper will be given full consideration in the drafting of legislation for which the main responsibility lies with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

The Government's overall approach to meeting special educational needs requires a substantial contribution from the health and personal social services as well as from voluntary organisations and other agencies. A great deal of work is already being done by social services departments, health authorities, voluntary organisations and others along the lines recommended by the Warnock Committee. Some developments will be possible within existing resources but inevitably any significant increase in the contribution of these organisations must await improvements in the general economic situation.