HC Deb 17 November 1972 vol 846 c231W
Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total number of children with all types of handicaps presently diagnosed as requiring special education and the total number of school places available.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

In January, 1972, 118,328 handicapped children in England attended special schools, including hospital special schools, and 14,901 were notified by LEAs as awaiting admission to these schools.

Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of physically handicapped children awaiting for a special school place at the latest available date.

Schools in England Pupils on register in January
Maintained Non-maintained Maintained Non-maintained
1970 443 15 50,492 1,456
1971 471 15 53,568 1,482
1972 896* 14 83,056* 1,308
* 406 schools for the severely mentally handicapped and 26,351 pupils became the responsibility of local education authorities on 1st April, 1971.