§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his answers of 25 June,Official Report, column 444, and 16 July, Official Report, column 158, whether he intends that schools should be free to buy in education psychology services from the national health service hospital services.
§ Mr. FallonSchools with delegated budgets may buy whatever services they need from wherever they wish, including from NHS sources if such are available and appropriate. It is for the schools to ensure that the services that they purchase fully meet their requirements and offer value for money.
§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he has given to the consequences for children of schools seeking the services of inappropriate or inadequately qualified psychologists.
§ Mr. FallonLocal education authorities and school governors have the statutory duty to ensure that the provision of children's special educational needs, including the services of psychologists, is appropriate. Parents have the statutory right to make a formal complaint to my right hon. and learned Friend where they have reason to believe that a local authority or governors are failing in their duty.