HC Deb 02 March 1967 vol 742 cc676-7
10. Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on his policy towards the establishment of more special units for handicapped children in normal primary and secondary schools, in view of the need to help handicapped children to grow up adjusted to the wider community in which they have to live.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

Our policy is that handicapped children should be educated in ordinary schools whenever possible, whether by establishing special units or classes or by making other special arrangements.

Mr. Newens

My hon. Friend is well aware of the progress which has been made in educating partially-hearing children alongside normal-hearing children. Is she satisfied that every encouragement is being given to experiments with other handicapped children?

Mrs. Williams

We are well aware of my hon. Friend's great interest in the problems of handicapped children. It is our impression that there is a constant move towards educating other handicapped children as far as possible in ordinary schools and that there is a constant increase in the number of special classes as well as special units for other handicapped children.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Is the hon. Lady satisfied with the pay structure of those who are teaching mentally handicapped children as against those dealing with physically handicapped children?

Mrs. Williams

I think that it can always be argued that there should be additional staff for mentally-handicapped children, but the general position in the staff ratio for handicapped children has shown an improvement over recent years.