What is his Department's policy on the use of educational psychologists in schools.

Educational psychologists have a statutory function in respect of assessments required for statements for children with special educational needs. However, the Department believes that they can play a much wider role in helping schools with early Intervention, identifying needs early, and helping to advise on appropriate support. More broadly, they can help to train school staff in particular subjects to enhance their skills and knowledge in respect of SEN. We continue to value and support the important work that they do.

My hon. Friend will be aware that this year local authorities' voluntary contributions have raised only about half the funds required for the training of educational psychologists, and the picture is likely to be even worse next year. In the context of the statutory functions to which my hon. Friend has referred, will she look again at the possibility of direct Government funding for the training of educational psychologists, so that they need not continue to rely on voluntary contributions which are not forthcoming?

I wrote to all local authorities on 16 November, after the meeting that we held with the Association of Educational Psychologists, urging them to contribute to the funding. It is also worth mentioning that the Children's Workforce Development Council is developing a long-term and sustainable employer-led funding and training scheme. I shall meet the new general secretary of the Association of Educational Psychologists, Kate Fallon, very shortly to discuss the matter again.

Concerns are still being raised about the impact of the new qualifications route and its funding. Is the Minister continuing to monitor not only the current position but the future supply of educational psychologists, particularly in the light of the role that they must play in regard to early identification and early Intervention?

I am continuing to monitor that very carefully. As I have said, we had a meeting in October, and I wrote to local authorities earlier this month. I plan to have another meeting in December to discuss the position. Further research is being conducted on work force planning for educational psychologists in the years ahead.

Schools have waiting lists of pupils wishing to see child psychologists. Meanwhile, education authorities are cutting the number of psychologists to save money. How can the Minister ensure that the number does not continue to be reduced at a time when we should be trying to increase it in each education authority?

If Members wish to cite individual authorities that are experiencing that problem, I shall be happy to look into it further. We need to engage in long-term work force planning, but I should stress that educational psychologists are the employees of local authorities, and that local authorities are responsible for ensuring that their number is sufficient.