Teachers of the Deaf

HC Deb 19 June 1986 vol 99 cc583-4W

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations his Department has received from the National Deaf Children's Society concerning the training of teachers of the deaf; what reply he is sending; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chris Patten

The director of the society has written a letter welcoming the general principle of post-experience training for the deaf and emphasising the need for sufficient in-service training to assure the supply of such teachers. My reply says that it is the Government's intention that appropriate in-service provision should be available when existing specialist initial training courses are phased out. It is intended that their last intakes will be in 1987. The costs to local authorities of such in-service training should be eligible for support under the new financial arrangements for in-service training which we intend to introduce on 1 April 1987 and for which we are seeking statutory powers through the Education Bill now before the House.