§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the implications of the decision of the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers to advise 284W teachers not to accept handicapped children into mainstream schools unless resources are made available to provide proper care for them; and whether, in the light of this decision, he is now prepared to make resources available for the full implementation of the Education Act 1981.
§ Mr. DunnMy right hon. Friend would deprecate any discrimination against a child, whether in the provision of education or otherwise, on account of his or her handicap.
If a child who has special educational needs and is the subject of a statement under the Education Act 1981 is to be placed in an ordinary school, that placement must be compatible with his receiving the special educational provision that he requires, as specified in the statement. If a child is not the subject of a statement, his admission to a county or voluntary school is governed by the provisions of sections 6 and 7 of the Education Act 1980.
The Government have already made available additional resources to assist with specific aspects of special education. We shall continue to look for other ways in which further funding might be found.