§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children he expects to be eligible for a special education school under the Education Reform Bill.
§ Mr. DunnIt is for each LEA to determine its own policy in respect of children with special educational needs. Each LEA makes its own decisions on school placements for children with special educational needs in the light of the consultations which lead up to the statement of the school provision they use. My right hon. Friend does not expect any significant change in the numbers of children attending special schools as the result of the Education Reform Bill.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many special education schools he estimates will exist once the Education Reform Bill has been fully implemented.
§ Mr. DunnThe provision of special schools is not for my right hon. Friend; it is a matter for local determination by each individual LEA. My right hon. Friend sees no reason to believe that the number of special schools will change as a result of the implementation of the Education Reform Bill.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many classroom teachers were consulted about the Education Reform Bill.
§ Mrs. RumboldCopies of the consultation papers issued by the Department of Education and Science were sent to all the national teachers' organisations. In addition, copies were freely available from the Department. Many teachers were among the 20,000 respondents who have sent in comments.