§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had in relation to proposed local government reform from Mr. Sandy Watson, director of education for Dundee, on behalf of the Scottish Directors of Education, relating to the provision of specialist education services for the handicapped, pupils in music, and other groups, dependent on large-scale education authorities for the current standard of provision.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 18 January 1994]: I have received a number of representations from Mr. Watson in his capacity as secretary to the professional association of the education directorate, on behalf of the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland in connection with our proposals for local government reform.
In his most recent letter, dated 14 December 1993 written on behalf of the association and other bodies and addressed to all Scottish Members of Parliament, Mr. Watson expressed concern that small authorities with reduced spending power would have difficulty in maintaining professional support services and that special needs provision would be vulnerable. I believe this concern is capable of being satisfactorily addressed within the Government's proposal.