§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what developments have taken place regarding the provision of special schools for the visually handicapped; what representations he has received from outside bodies on this subject; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonA meeting was held in the Department on 27 May at which those responsible for the provision of schools for the visually handicapped were informed of the national fall in demand for places in these schools. As a result of the meeting the nine regional conferences on special education have been asked to formulate regional plans of provision for this handicap by the end of the year. It is then proposed to produce a national plan for discussion. A number of bodies have suggested that they would like to offer an input to the regional conferences and they have been invited to do so.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with the Association of Blind and Partially Sighted Teachers and Students and the National Federation of the Blind of the United Kingdom regarding the Education Act 1981; if he will invite them to national conferences on educational provision for children with visual handicaps; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonMy noble Friend Baroness Young met representatives of these two bodies in July 1981 when their views on the Education Act 1981 were discussed, and they will be represented at the conference relating to the implementation of the Education Act 1981 which is planned for the autumn of this year. No further national meetings on educational provision for the visually handicapped are being planned at present.