asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to exclude severely handicapped children from the effects of actual and projected cuts in educational spending; and if he will make a statement.

It is for each local education authority to decide on the allocation of available resources both as between the services they provide and between the different sectors of the education service. My right hon. and learned Friend has no say in this. I am confident that, as in the past, authorities will be sensitive to the special needs of severely handicapped children in reaching their decisions.