HC Deb 14 March 1957 vol 566 c1296
17. Mr. Janner

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education how many children under the age of 16 have been deemed in the past five years to be ineducable; how many of them are attending occupation centres; and how many of them do not get any kind of education at all.

Sir E. Boyle

There were 15,478 children reported by local education authorities during the years 1951–55 as incapable of receiving education at school. Training in occupation centres is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. In December, 1955. there were 5,055 children under 16 in occupation centres, and at the same date there were 2,942 children regarded as suitable for training at occupation centres but not receiving it.

Mr. Janner

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is very deep concern about these children and that every one of them should have some kind of education? Is it not very unfair of the education authorities to push them back on to the parents, since neither the parents nor the children can benefit from such an arrangement? Will the hon. Gentleman go into the matter very carefully and remedy the position?

Sir E. Boyle

We shall look into the matter very carefully indeed, but Questions on training and occupation centres are for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.