§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of research on the underlying reasons for the increase in statements of special educational need over the last five years. [21508]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe number of pupils with statements has risen from 161,000 in 1992 to 233,000 in 1997. Our Green Paper, "Excellence for all children: meeting special educational needs" draws on the views of members of the National Advisory Group on special educational needs and on discussions with schools, local education authorities and voluntary groups. It suggests that the reasons for the increase may include financial and other differential effects of statements. While confirming the continuing importance of statements for children with complex disabilities, the Green Paper seeks views on the case for helping schools to meet the needs of more children without recourse to expensive statutory statementing processes.