§ 42. Mr. E. Evansasked the Minister of Education how many deaf children are suffering from epilepsy, marked mental retardation, blindness and impaired vision; how many of these children are attending schools for the deaf; and whether it is proposed to provide special schools accommodation for them apart from the present schools for the deaf.
§ Miss WilkinsonI have no information showing the total number of deaf children in England and Wales suffering from the other disabilities to which my hon. Friend refers. In one special school for the deaf which caters for such children, there are 48 who are educationally retarded, six who are blind and five who are partially sighted, and a few such children are in attendance at other schools for the blind and the deaf. I hope that provision for a group of these children will be made in due course in another school for the deaf, but the precise categories for which it will provide have not yet been determined. It is thought that with this additional provision, the needs of the whole country will be met.
§ Mr. EvansMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether this was referred to the Advisory Committee on handicapped children set up under the chairmanship of the hon. Gentleman the Member for South Tottenham (Mr. Messer)?
§ Miss WilkinsonI could not answer that question without notice, but I am continually in touch with that committee, and so are my advisers.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonCan the right hon. Lady say how many schools there are to which mentally retarded children can be sent?
§ Miss WilkinsonI am afraid I shall have to have notice of that question.