HC Deb 21 July 1955 vol 544 cc552-3
34. Dr. King

asked the Minister of Education how many handicapped children there are in the individual categories defined in his School Health Service and Handicapped Children Regulations; how many children in each category are in day and residential schools, respectively; and how many of those in special schools are not receiving secondary education appropriate to their age, ability and aptitude.

Mr. Vosper

The information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the numbers of children in each category of handicap for whom local education authorities were, in December last, providing special educational treatment in day and boarding special schools and in independent schools. I should expect all these children to be receiving education appropriate to their age, ability and aptitude, but not necessarily in separate primary or secondary schools.

Dr. King

Is the Minister aware that his figures will show that there is a crying need in every part of the country for more special schools, on the one hand, and for more special classes for handicapped children in ordinary schools, on the other hand? Does he not realise that he can solve this and kindred problems only by a really striking increase in educational

Number of Children at December, 1954
Category of handicap Special schools (excluding hospital special schools) Independent schools Total
Day Boarding Mostly boarding
Blind … … … 24 1,146 1 1,171
Partially sighted … … … 1,195 846 4 2,045
Deaf … … … 1,227 2,734 143 4,104
Partially deaf … … … 608 827 56 1,491
Delicate … … … 9,167 4,054 49 13,270
Physically handicapped … … … 4,383 1,855 154 6,392
Educationally sub-normal … … … 15,635 7,260 264 23,159
Maladjusted … … … 187 1,157 1,077 2,421
Epileptic … … … 23 750 6 779
Multiple defects … … … — — 66 66
Total … … … 32,449 20,629 1,820 54,898
In addition, some 8,000 children were being educated in hospital special schools and in hospitals, over 2,000 in their homes, and a further 1,000 in boarding homes.