§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what inter-departmental forums exist for issues relating to children with(a) ADHD and (b) ME/CFS. [39865]
§ Mr. Boateng[holding answer 27 April 1998]: Following the publication of the Green Paper "Excellence for all children; meeting special education needs" and the many comments it stimulated, officials from the Department are working closely with the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) on services for all children with special needs. The Department is represented on the National Advisory Group for Special Educational Needs and a joint policy group will meet for the first time in May.
Our aim is to ensure that the various strands of our policy affecting young people and the initiatives being taken to improve services are mutually supportive and address children's needs in a coherent and coordinated way. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) issues, for example, are discussed with the DfEE in the context of special educational needs and healthy schools and with the Home Office in relation to youth offending matters. The Department expects to meet the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association, possibly with other Government Departments, to discuss children's issues.