§ Mr. Robin CookTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any assessment of the number of autistic children in England and Wales; and if he will give the total number of places in residential schools for autistic children.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe most reliable estimates indicate that the prevalence of autism is between four to five per 10,000 population. The number of places in residential schools for autistic children is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.