HC Deb 28 July 1980 vol 989 c581W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the estimated annual cost of the provisions made for mentally retarded children in Scotland;

(2) what is the latest estimate of the numbers of children classified as (a) mentally retarded, and (b) educationally subnormal, indicating the numbers in both categories.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

These classifications are not used in Scotland. In September 1978, the most recent date for which figures are available, there were 9,930 pupils in special schools and classes for the mentally handicapped. Information about the cost of educating these pupils is not available centrally and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.