§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the estimated expenditure required to convert the present all-age school for deaf children at Tunmarsh Lane, West Ham, into a secondary school; for how many children it will provide places; what will be its catchment area; what 101W boarding facilities are planned; and what provisions are being made to enable children attending to be integrated with children of normal hearing.
§ Mr. CroslandI have not yet received the local education authority's detailed proposals. The school will serve Newham, Waltham Forest and South Essex and will cater for day pupils only. The existing school fosters contacts with children with normal hearing through its youth club, to which school leavers and older pupils bring hearing friends, and by competing with ordinary schools in team games and sporting events. I have no doubts that these contacts will be continued and increased so far as possible.