§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the value and achievements of conductive education. [5814]
§ Mr. AncramNo formal assessment of the value and achievements of conductive education has been undertaken in Northern Ireland. In 1993, the Government sponsored a research project into the relative merits of conductive education and conventional approaches for particular categories of children at the Birmingham institute for conductive education.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to make conductive education available for children where parents wish it. [5832]
§ Mr. AncramUnder the 1991 international agreement with Hungary, the United Kingdom is guaranteed access to a number of places for children and for trainee conductors at the Peto institute in Budapest. In Northern Ireland, the making of provision for children with special educational needs is a matter for education and library boards in the first instance. I am aware that one board has been considering how conductive education techniques might be integrated into its special education provision, but no specific plans have yet evolved.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many institutions provide conductive education for children with special educational needs; and how many children are currently receiving conductive therapy in each institution. [5813]
§ Mr. AncramConductive education is provided at an independent school, the Buddy Bear trust school in Dungannon. There are three children enrolled.