§ 21. Mr. Woodasked the Minister of Education how many educationally subnormal children there are in the country; how many are receiving specialised training at State schools; and how many are being educated at private specialised schools.
§ Mr. TomlinsonAt the beginning of this year, there were 27,577 children in England and Wales who had been ascertained by local education authorities as requiring education in special schools for educationally sub-normal children; of these 15,030 were attending approved special schools and 63 were being sent by local education authorities to independent schools. The remaining 12,484 were awaiting places in special schools.
§ Mr. WoodIs the Minister aware that there are some areas in the country where these facilities are not available? Can he say what steps he intends to take to try to overcome these difficulties in the rural areas?
§ Mr. TomlinsonWe have had consultations with local education authorities all over the country about this problem, which is not an easy one to solve. I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that, in the last four calendar years, 1,750 additional places have been provided for these children, and that work in 1950 and 1951 is expected to produce over 2,000 places.
§ Mr. NicholsonCan the Minister say how many of these children are in mental hospitals and institutions, and how many are there now in mental hospitals and institutions who could not possibly be classified as sub-normal, and who would derive benefit from special training but who are not receiving it?
§ Mr. TomlinsonNone of those to whom I have referred.