Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Heaton-Harris and Sarah Teather

Monday 11th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con)]

18. What recent representations he has received on educational provision for children with special educational needs in Daventry constituency.

[The Minister of State, Department for Education (Sarah Teather)]

There have been no representations received from Northamptonshire local authority in relation to provision for children with special educational needs in the authority’s area. However, school organisation and special educational provision are matters for local consultation and determination, and where there are disagreements they may be referred to the independent schools adjudicator for consideration.

[Chris Heaton-Harris]

Will the Minister kindly accept a representation from parents in my constituency, who have visited my surgeries with various problems regarding special educational needs provision in Northamptonshire—especially the parents of a young lad called Joe, whom I met on Friday, who suffers from Down’s syndrome and is unable to get the regular speech therapy that he needs?

[Sarah Teather]

May I very strongly encourage the hon. Gentleman and his constituents to respond to the call to send in views for the Green Paper? The call closes on 15 October, so there are just a few more days to respond, and I should be very grateful if he made sure that that his constituents’ experiences were represented. If he wishes to meet me further, I shall be very happy to do so.