§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average time over the last364W 12 months has been for a child with special educational needs to be statemented from the initiation of the process to the statement being issued. [139297]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 20 November 2000]: The Audit Commission collects information on the production of statements. It is encouraging to note that the Audit Commission's figures show an improvement, with English councils overall preparing 67 per cent. of draft statements within 18 weeks in 1998–99, compared to 54 per cent. in 1997–98 and 48 per cent. in 1996–97.