§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if children with learning difficulties who have received a statement of special educational needs under the provisions of the 1981 and 1993 Education Acts will be automatically protected by the Disability Discrimination Bill. [41342]
§ Mr. ForthUnder the Education Act 1993 local education authorities have a statutory duty to arrange the provision specified in a statement of special educational needs. In view of the existing comprehensive protection under that Act, the House has agreed that education should be excluded from the scope of part III of the Bill. Subject to that, the other relevant provisions of the disability Discrimination Bill will apply equally to children with statements as to all other people.