HC Deb 22 January 1993 vol 217 c448W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to ring-fence all funding for special needs education in Wales.

Sir Wyn Roberts

Resources to local authorities are not hypothecated to particular services. It is for authorities themselves to decide how much to direct to education, including special education, in the light of local priorities and circumstances. Specific grant is available to local education authorities under the grants for education support and training programme (GEST) for the training of teachers of children with sensory impairments and severe learning difficulties and other support for children with special needs. Special purpose grant for development is available to fund grant maintained schools for all activities supported at LEA level by the GEST programme.