§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are in place to assist autistic children in Scotland; and what further proposals he has for autistic children.[46242]
§ Mr. WilsonLocal authorities have a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need by providing a range and level of services appropriate to the children's needs. They are also under a statutory duty to assess the needs of individual children with a disability when requested to do so by a child's parent and any services provided should be designed to give such children the opportunity to lead lives which are as normal as possible.
402WLocal authorities also have a statutory duty to secure the adequate and efficient provision of education for the children in their respective areas. The means by which any particular authority choose to provide for their area and the nature of educational provision deemed suitable for any particular child, including a child with autism. is a matter for them to decide in the first instance.