§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidelines he provides for the diagnosis and statementing of autistic children for(a) pre-nursery and (b) pre-school.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe Secretary of State does not provide such guidelines; this is a matter for local education authorities. General advice to LEAs on their duties under the Education Act 1981 in relation to the making of assessments and statements of special educational need is contained in circular No. 22/89 which was issued on 29 September. I have made arrangements for the hon. Member to receive a copy of this circular, copies of which have been placed in the Library.