§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what plans are being made by his Department during 1981 to expand training for those specialising in the teaching of art to disabled children;
(2) what plans are being made by his Department during 1981 to expand training for those specialising in the teaching of mentally handicapped children;
(3) whether, to mark the International Year of Disabled People, he will abandon his plans to reorganise special education; and if he will instruct his Department to develop programmes which will integrate rather than segregate disabled children from their contemporaries;
(4) what plans are being made by his Department during 1981 to expand training for those specialising in the teaching of the young deaf;
(5) what plans are being made by his Department during 1981 to expand training for those specialising in the teaching of the blind.
§ Dr. BoysonThe forthcoming Bill to amend the law relating to the education of children with special educational needs is my right hon. and learned Friend's main contribution to the International Year and will reflect the Government's policy on integration as set out in paragraph 41 of the White Paper on special needs in education—Cmnd. 7996. It will be for local education authorities to review their arrangements accordingly.
Training for teachers specialising in the teaching of pupils with specific handicaps is mainly by in-service courses which are arranged in response to demand.