§ Mr. Parkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the different categories of handicap in children: when these categories were defined; and what plans she has for a redrafting of these categories.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe statutory categories of handicapped pupils requiring special educational treatment are
Blind, partially sighted, deaf, partially hearing, educationally sub-normal, epileptic, maladjusted, physically handicapped, suffering from speech defect and delicate.These were defined in 1959 with minor amendments to the definitions of hearing impaired children in 1962. I am reviewing the question of statutory categories in consultation with my Advisory Committee on Handicapped Children. With the committee's encouragement, five local education authorities are conducting an experiment in the use of a descriptive classification of the needs of handicapped children alongside the statutory categorisation for a trial period.
§ Mr. Parkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science at what age the education of a handicapped child is no longer the responsibility of the local authority.
§ Mrs. ThatcherEducational provision for pupils over compulsory school age. including handicapped pupils, comes within the general provision made by local education authorities either in schools or establishments of further education. Their continued education will depend upon individual needs and upon the availability of suitable places. In 105W the case of schools the age limit for senior pupils is 19 years.