HC Deb 10 June 1974 vol 874 cc462-4W
Mr. Parkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why home tutors who teach handicapped children in the children's homes cannot count their experience towards the Burnham incremental scale.

Mr. Prentice

The Burnham salary scales do not apply to teachers employed only on giving tuition at home to handicapped children or children temporarily unable to attend school. Local education authorities make individual pay arrangements for these teachers. If such a teacher goes back to school teaching and therefore comes under the Burnham scales, any doubt about incremental credit for the time spent on home teaching would have to be settled by the Burnham Committee.

Mr. Parkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider publishing a list to be made available to each local authority in England and Wales of all schools in the country which provide special education for mentally handicapped children.

Mr. Prentice

A new edition of List 42, giving particulars of special schools for all types of handicap, was distributed to local education authorities in May. For the first time, schools for the educationally subnormal which cater for severely mentally handicapped children have been distinguished from the rest. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.

Mr. Parkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is yet in a position to name the other members of the committee to inquire into special education which was announced by his predecessor; and when he expects the committee to begin its work.

Mr. Prentice

I shall announce the membership as soon as possible. The committee should be fully operational by September.

Mr. Parkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he can give any indication of the number of special schools which provide education of multiple-handicapped children.

Mr. Prentice

Nearly all special schools cater primarily for one handicap but are prepared to accept children with minor additional handicaps. Children with severe multiple handicaps usually need places in boarding special schools or in hospitals with educational provision.