§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. Alison[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1980, c. 564]: At 31 December 1978, the latest date for which information is available, there were 1,194 mentally retarded children in Northern Ireland ascertained as requiring special care as defined in section 7 (2) of the Mental Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1961.
At 1 January 1980 the number of children in Northern Ireland determined as educationally subnormal and attending either special schools or special education units was 1,800. In addition, there 704W are a number of educationally subnormal pupils in special classes of ordinary schools but figures are not available.