§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to ensure that lip-reading classes are available as a right to all who need them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthThe Education Act 1981 places the responsibility for making appropriate educational provision for children with special educational needs on each local education authority. It is not for the Government to prescribe which form of communication should be employed in schools where there are pupils with hearing impairments, nor the level of support they require. Such decisions are best made in the light of local needs and circumstances.