HC Deb 07 May 1923 vol 163 cc1919-20
94. Mr. R. MORRISON

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local educational authorities made special school accommodation for mentally and physically defective children during 1922; how many authorities were permitted to open new special schools; how many were refused; and, of those refused, on what grounds?

Lord E. PERCY

During the year ending the 31st December, 1922, 90 local education authorities in England and Wales were providing special school accommodation for mentally or physically defective children. Five authorities were allowed, and seven were, on financial grounds, refused, permission to open new schools.

95. Mr. R. MORRISON

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of mentally defective children and the number of physically defective children who are at present awaiting suitable special school accommodation in England and Wales?

Lord E. PERCY

As the answer is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, publish the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the statement:

Any figures which I can give are only approximate, both because I have not complete returns from all authorities, and because it is impossible to formulate any precise standard of defectiveness or to secure its uniform application in all areas. In such a matter considerable allowance must always be made for the variation of individual judgment. It is estimated that there are about 28,500 mentally defective children in England and Wales who might benefit by admission to special schools, in which there is accommodation for about 16,000. About 10,500 of these children are in public elementary schools, and about 2,500 are not at school at all. Similarly, there are about 109,000 physically defective children who might benefit by admission to special schools, in which there is accommodation for about 14,000; 74,000 are in public elementary schools; 7,000 in other institutions; and 14,000 are not attending any school. More detailed particulars will be found on page 211 of the Report of the Board's Chief Medical Officer for 1920, and on page 16 of the Chief Medical Officer's Report for 1921.