§ Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what, on the basis of information available, was the number of places available in maintained and non-maintained schools, respectively, for each of the last six years, for educationally sub-normal children; and whether she envisages any change in future provision for this type of pupil.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe information is as follows:
EDUCATIONALLY SUBNORMAL PUPILS: ENGLAND AND WALES At January each year In maintained Special Schools In Non-maintained Special Schools Total 1965 41,268 1,536 42,804 1966 43,194 1,626 44,820 1967 44,785 1,562 46,347 1968 47,559 1,553 49,112 1969 50,228 1,556 51,784 1970 52,280 1,456 53,736 Future building programmes will provide more special school places. Severely mentally handicapped children, for whose education L.E.A.s became responsible on 1st April, 1971, are now included in the category of the educationally subnormal. The types of provision made are primarily a matter for authorities, but the possibility of placing more children in day rather than in boarding special schools is increasingly being considered. The number of special classes for these children in ordinary schools is also growing.