§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many registered deaf children are being educated in schools in the United Kingdom; how many are attending (a) special schools for the deaf and (b) special units within normal schools; and what is the average number of hours per week of special attention given to deaf children in the integrated units.
§ Dr. BoysonIn January 1982, 3,750 deaf children were being educated in schools in England. Of these, 2,739 were attending special schools for the deaf or partially hearing and 481 were in designated special classes or units in ordinary schools. The Department has no record of the special attention given to children in integrated units.
My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for education in their respective countries.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many special schools that made provision for the deaf have been closed since 1979; how many deaf children have been moved from special schools to integrated units in normal schools; and what has been the consequent financial saving to (a) the public sector and (b) the private sector.
§ Dr. BoysonFive special schools for the deaf in England have been closed since January 1979. Between28W January 1979 and January 1982, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of deaf children attending special classes in ordinary schools increased by 189. It is not possible to say how many of these children might otherwise have attended special schools, or to assess the financial savings, if any.