§ 10. Miss Herbisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children are awaiting admission to a special school for the physically or mentally handicapped in Lanarkshire and Scotland.
§ Mr. NobleFour hundred and forty-eight mentally handicapped children, including 36 in Lanarkshire, and 19 physically handicapped children, none of whom is in Lanarkshire, are awaiting admission to special schools. Most of these children will be admitted at the beginning of session 1964–65.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the Secretary of State aware that these children, who are either physically or mentally handicapped, suffer grave disabilities and then have the further disability of not having any type of education at all? Can he say why there are over 400 in Scotland at the present? Can he assure us that they will be found places at the beginning of the session?
§ Mr. NobleLike the hon. Lady, I regret that there should be any. But 448 is approximately 5 per cent. of the total, and we have plans for speeding up the provision of these schools as fast as buildings and suitable teachers can be got. I believe that all these children will be admitted at the beginning of the session.