§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many places are available for children with special educational needs in(a) non-maintained and (b) independent special schools; and how many places are purchased by local education authorities in each type of school.
§ Mr. ForthAs at January 1992, there were some 7,100 places in non-maintained special schools and some 6,700 places in those independent schools catering wholly or mainly for pupils with special educational needs.
At that time, there were some 5,800 pupils occupying places at non-maintained special schools, the majority of whom were funded by local education authorities. Information is not kept centrally on the number of such independent school places funded by local education authorities.