§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement upon the future development of specialist educational provisions for hearing-impaired children under the unitary authorities in Wales.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsSpecial education, including provision for children with hearing impairment, will continue to be treated as a matter of high priority tinder the new structure of local government. Local education authorities will retain responsibility for identifying and assessing children with special educational needs and making and maintaining statutory statements, as necessary, and for arranging the special educational provision specified. It is anticipated that it will be open to authorities to join together to share specialised services, such as those for hearing-impaired children, if they wish.