§ Mr. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the numbers of pupils in maintained and non-maintained special schools in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the Northern region and (c) the Durham county council area.
§ Dr. BoysonThe numbers of pupils, counting each part-time pupil as one half, in maintained and non-maintained special schools in January 1980 were as follows:
Maintained Non-Maintained England 121,111 8,176 Northern Region 8,707 414 Durham 1,399 — These figures refer only to special schools. They do not include pupils in special classes in county or voluntary schools, or those attending independent schools which cater wholly or mainly for handicapped pupils.Statistical information about special schools in the other three countries comprising the United Kingdom is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the annual intake of pupils into maintained and non-maintained special schools in the United Kingdom for each year since 1974.
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§ Dr. BoysonThe only information available to the Department is the number of handicapped pupils newly placed by English local education authorities in special schools or boarding homes during each calendar year. Those figures are as follows:
My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are responsible for special education in their respective areas.
Number 1974 21,104 1975 21,787 1976 22,018 1977 23,453 1978 22,719 1979 21,253
§ Mr. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the projected annual intake of pupils into maintained and non-maintained special schools in the United Kingdom for each year until 1984.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Department does not undertake projections of these figures.