§ 3. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many special schools for educationally deprived children exist in the Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham metropolitan borough councils' education districts, respectively; and how many are scheduled to be closed.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneMy right hon. and learned Friend is not aware of any such schools in Doncaster or Rotherham. 800 The Barnsley education authority has two centres for remedial education, both of which it proposes to close at the end of this academic year.
§ Mr. WainwrightDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that the cuts in education are drastically affecting the education of children with learning difficulties? Does he not realise that if those children are now educated they can perhaps take their places in the society of the future? Therefore, the cuts in education are placing the local authorities in an invidious position. There should be more such schools and not fewer.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI understand the hon. Gentleman's concern for his constituents. I have read some of the correspondence which has been exchanged between him and the local director of education. However, the Barnsley local education authority is proposing to make alternative provision in ordinary schools for pupils who currently attend those centres. That is an important contribution, given the theme which is echoed in the legislation now going through the House.