HC Deb 13 June 1988 vol 135 cc61-2W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take, in the light of Warwick university applied social studies department's report entitled "Come Wind, Come Weather," about conductive education, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Scott

I am aware of the recommendations contained in the report to assist British families at the Peto Institute in Budapest. The Peto method of conductive education is one of a wide range of services for disabled children and adults. Proposals for its introduction in Britain would have to take into account existing health and education provision as well as the evaluation being undertaken by Birmingham university of the research project of the foundation for conductive education. I have arranged to visit a number of organisations to look at the range of services available in these fields. A team of officials from DES and DHSS recently visited Budapest to obtain more information about the difficulties faced by the British families at the Peto Institute and the part that conductive education plays in the provision of services in Hungary.