§ 53. Mr. Willeyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the number of children awaiting admission to special schools at the latest available date.
§ Miss BaconThe provisional total of children in England and Wales awaiting admission to special schools, other than hospital special schools, on 23rd January, 1969, was 13,711. In order to reduce this waiting list the building programme for special schools has been increased from £5.5 million in 1969–70 to £6.6 million in 1970–71 and £.7.1 million in 1971–72. I am giving urgent consideration to the proposal put forward by the Sunderland local education authority.