HC Deb 08 March 1956 vol 549 c2287
11. Mr. J. Eden

asked the Minister of Education how many State schools cater especially for children who are backward, as distinct from those who are mentally deficient; and how many of these are boarding schools.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education (Mr. Dennis Vosper)

There are 261 special schools in England and Wales for educationally sub-normal children, of which 105 are boarding schools.

Mr. Eden

While thanking my hon. Friend for that information, may I ask whether he is quite satisfied that children who are only educationally backward are not sometimes classified as mentally deficient? Is he further satisfied that children who are backward, nervous or shy in any way get proper encouragement and individual attention to help them forward?

Mr. Vosper

In reply to my hon. Friend's first point, I have in fact recently satisfied myself about the procedure for investigating those children who are ineducable, and I am satisfied that those cases are thoroughly investigated. The parent has a right of appeal to my right hon. Friend. To reply to my hon. Friend's second point, I hope that an increasing proportion of the resources available for special schools will be devoted to this purpose and this category.