HC Deb 17 February 1971 vol 811 c508W
Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action she is taking to alleviate the position of mentally handicapped school children in the County Borough of Huddersfield.

Mrs. Thatcher

From 1st April, 1971, which I have appointed for the coming into force of the Education (Handicapped Children) Act, 1970, the education of mentally handicapped children will become the responsibility of the local education authority.

Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many classes in the County Borough of Huddersfield had more than 40 pupils in each year from 1961 to the latest available date.

Mr. van Straubenzee

For primary classes the numbers are:

January
1961 … … … 51
1962 … … … 44
1963 … … … 51
1964 … … … 54
1965 … … … 45
1966 … … … 70
1967 … … … 80
1968 … … … 88
1969 … … … 82
1970 … … … 62 (revised)

Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many new schools in the County Borough of Huddersfield have been approved up to 1975.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Eight new schools are under construction or planned in building programmes up to and including 1972–73. No decisions have yet been taken on the programme for 1973–75.