§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many pupils in each category there were in special schools in Scotland at the latest date for which figures are available;
(2) how many pupils in each category were in special units in ordinary schools in Scotland at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. McElhoneThe numbers of handicapped pupils in education authority and grant-aided special schools and departments in September 1975 is set out in the table below. A breakdown between special schools and units in ordinary schools is not available for each separate handicap, but overall about 90 per cent. of the pupils were in special schools. 3,231 of the pupils had more than one handicap and these are included in the figure for the handicap which is the more, or most, severe.
Handicap No. of pupils Deaf 393 Partially deaf 356 Blind 136 Partially sighted 217 Severely mentally handicapped 1,907 Mentally handicapped 8,170 Epileptic 56 Suffering from speech defect 18 Maladjusted 701 Physically handicapped 1,110 Total 13,064
§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his estimate of the number of handicapped pupils in each category in ordinary classes in ordinary schools at the latest date for which figures are available;
(2) what is his estimate of the number of handicapped pupils in each category awaiting placement in either a special school or a special unit; and what proportion in each category are currently receiving no education:
264W(3) if he will introduce legislation to amend Section 5 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1962 to bring it into line with Section 33(2) of the Education Act 1944 as amended by Section 10 of the Education Act 1976.
§ Mr. McElhoneThe number of handicapped pupils in ordinary classes in ordinary schools cannot be estimated since most of the children concerned will not have been formally ascertained as requiring special education, and the number, therefore, would be a matter of subjective judgement. Information is not collected as to the number of children awaiting placement in special schools or classes, but the number would not be large as there is in general no shortage of places in special schools. I have no evidence that there is any substantial number of children receiving no education, except on a very temporary basis. Rare cases arise of difficulty in obtaining the right placement, and these are dealt with individually.
My right hon. Friend does not intend to bring forward proposals for legislation in Scotland on the lines of Section 10 of the Education Act 1976. The policy of integration is already widely accepted, as is shown by the steady fall in the numbers of pupils in special schools, and there is no reason at present to think that any benefit would be gained by a statutory provision. My right hon. Friend will consider the matter further, however, when the recommendations of the Warnock Committee on educational provision for handicapped children and young people are available.
§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his estimate of the number of pupils in each category leaving special schools at the latest date for which figures are available who went on to further education and higher education, respectively;
(2) what is his estimate of the number of pupils leaving special units in ordinary schools at the latest date for which figures are available who went on to further and higher education, respectively.
§ Mr. McElhoneNo comprehensive information is available, but it is known that relatively few pupils go on from special education to further or higher education. The McCann Committee on 265W the Secondary Education of Physically Handicapped Children in Scotland, carried out a survey which indicated that only 2 per cent. of physically handicapped pupils leaving special schools in June and December 1973 attended further education colleges.