HC Deb 12 November 1964 vol 701 cc1174-5
13. Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement concerning the development of facilities for the educationally sub-normal, with particular reference to increased facilities in Cornwall.

Mr. Prentice

In January, 1964, there were 40,600 educationally sub-normal children in special schools in England and Wales, and the number of special school places for these children is increasing at the rate of over 2,000 each year. The Cornwall local education authority has not made any proposal for additional special school provision, but has established 12 special classes in ordinary schools and intends to develop further this type of provision.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the special need of areas such as Cornwall for increased facilities for backward children, and will he also look into the scale of remuneration of teachers who are specially qualified for this very important work?

Mr. Prentice

Yes, Sir; we will bear all these problems in mind. I should point out that the Cornwall development plan includes three special schools for children of this kind but the proposals in recent years have not included these for immediate consideration. If the authority puts up a proposal for the 1967–68 building programme, we will give it careful consideration.

Lord Balniel

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that the success of the special schools and the junior training schools depends in large measure on the willingness of local authorities to meet the costs of transporting and escorting these mentally handicapped children to the schools, and will he initiate an inquiry to ascertain to what extent local authorities are meeting the costs of transport and escorts?

Mr. Prentice

There is a later Question on the Order Paper dealing with the whole problem of transport to schools. Certainly in regard to these special types of schools, I would take the view—I am sure that my right hon. Friend would, too—that local education authorities ought to be specially considerate of the needs of children at these schools.