HC Deb 20 February 1991 vol 186 c149W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultation took place between the Welsh Office and the advisory panel of the all-Wales strategy for mental handicap prior to the publication of his local management of schools draft circular of 21 December 1990 concerning the application of local management of schools procedures to special schools in Wales; and if he will list those items where there is a conflict between the local management of schools strategy objectives and the all-Wales strategy objectives.

Sir Wyn Roberts

There is no conflict between the local management of schools—LMS—arrangements and the all-Wales mental handicap strategy. Under LMS, local education authorities retain their statutory responsibility to ensure that proper provision is made for children who are the subject of statements of special educational need. The report of the all-Wales panel on educational provision and services in the mental handicap strategy recommended that the effects of LMS on the financing of special needs provision should be carefully monitored by the Department and local education authorities.