§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what level of resources have been allocated for speech therapy for children in Scotland with a formal statement of needs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 26 February 1992]: General responsibility for the speech therapy needs of children in Scotland rests with health boards. Financial provision is made within the overall moneys made available to support their programmes, but the element devoted to speech therapy provision is not separately identified.
Additionally, education authorities have a responsibility to provide for speech therapy which is identified as a special educational need in a record of needs. Under new arrangements, which will begin on 1 April 1992, education authorities will contract directly with health boards for the 655W provision of this service. The sum of £2 million has been included in the 1992–93 local government settlement to take account of the additional expenditure authorities will incur.