§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to make mandatory the additional allowances payable by local education authorities to disabled students; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. Friend has no plans to make mandatory on local education authorities the payment in full of the maximum allowance payable under The Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations to disabled students. Payment will therefore continue to be on the basis of individual need up to the prescribed maximum. My right hon. Friend does, however, intend to increase the maximum from £250 to £500 from the academic year 1982–83.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy towards local education authorities which refuse to provide any form of non-advanced further education for severely handicapped young people between the ages of 16 to 19 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveLocal education authorities have a duty under the Education Acts to make or secure provision, either in further education or schools, for the handicapped as for others aged 16 to 19 years but not necessarily in whichever of the two sectors an individual prefers. This interpretation of the law has not, however, been tested in the courts. The right hon. Member may already be aware that the report by central and local government officials entitled "The Legal Basis of Further Education" and made available to both Houses last June, contained proposals for revising and clarifying the law on further education. My right hon. Friend is now considering these proposals in the light of comments received thereon.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy towards local education authorities which accept their duty to provide further education for handicapped young people who are above school leaving age but below 19 years, but who refuse to pay the accommodation fees of severely handicapped young people who they have agreed need residential placement outside the local authority area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe securing of this provision is a matter for local education authorities, which also have discretion on the extent to which they assist with the costs. My right hon. Friend understands that few if any authorities require a contribution towards tuition fees but some may do so for associated boarding and travelling costs.
The right hon. Member may already be aware from the report " The Legal Basis of Further Education" published last June that it contained in paragraph 28 a proposal for 428W the home local education authority—where it had agreed to a placement of a student with another authority or with an independent institution—to provide the board and lodging cost and provide or assist with the provision of travel costs. My right hon. Friend is currently considering the report's proposals in the light of the wide range of comments he has received and will inform the House of the outcome as soon as possible.