§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to introduce proposals to amend the Education Act 1981 in order specifically to state which authority has the responsibility for providing therapy back-up for special needs pupils.
§ Mr. ForthThe Department's circular 22/89 on "Assessments and Statements of Special Educational Needs: Procedures within the Education, Health and Social Services" contains guidance on the need for local education authorities to work closely with district health authorities and social services departments on the provision of non-educational services to pupils with special educational needs.
The addendum to circular 22/89, published in March 1992, offers further advice to authorities on responsibilities for the provision of speech therapy. I do not consider that any further clarification of the responsibility for providing speech and other therapy services is necessary.