HC Deb 13 December 1956 vol 562 cc73-4W
56. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Education approximately how many children have been officially recorded as ineducable and excluded from school; how many parents annually appeal against this decision; how many of those appeals are granted; and how many mentally retarded or subnormal children are now receiving appropriate education in schools.

Sir D. Eccles

About 3,000 children annually are reported by L.E.A.s as ineducable. In the year ending September, 1954, the last period for which complete figures are available, there were 373 appeals, of which 22 were successful. In 107 other cases appeals were withdrawn by parents or the authorities withdrew or postponed their proposals to report. Over 24,000 educationally subnormal children are attending special schools, and many others receive special educational treatment in ordinary schools.