§ 82. Mr. Battleyasked the Minister of Education the number of special schools for defective children in England and Wales; how many such children are on the waiting lists and unable to attend owing to lack of accommodation; in addition to those, how many children have been examined by the medical officers of local authorities and found to be too defective for attendance at school; if she is prepared to consider the appointment of itinerant teachers in order that those children unable to attend school may receive instruction at home; and if she is satisfied that sufficient ambulances are being provided for those attending school to avoid long and exhausting journeys for the children.
§ Mr. HardmanThere are 576 special schools in England and Wales for handicapped pupils of all categories. I have no information as to the number of244W children on the waiting lists but it is no doubt substantial, and local education authorities are being pressed to make extended provision. A small number of cases of children who are too much disabled for attendance at school have been brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend. She is prepared to consider proposals for the appointment of peripatetic teachers to give such children education in their homes under Section 56 of the Education Act, 1944, but with the present shortage of teachers this expedient cannot be widely adopted. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that in general local education authorities make adequate arrangements for the transport of handicapped children to and from special schools, but she is of course always ready to consider any special cases that members wish to bring to her notice.