HC Deb 07 February 1997 vol 289 cc747-8W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funds she provides to improve facilities for disabled children in mainstream education; and if she will make a statement. [14336]

Mrs. Gillan

The Government are providing support totalling £12 million over the next three years under the schools access initiative for projects to make more mainstream schools accessible to pupils with disabilities. Some 800 mainstream schools have already benefited from schools access initiative projects in 1996–97.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils with physical disabilities have been refused places in mainstream schools over the last year. [14338]

Mrs. Gillan

This information is not collected centrally. The annual report of the Special Educational needs tribunal for 1995–96 shows that, in that year, 26 appeals were registered concerning the placement of a child with physical handicap; of these, 12 were upheld. Local education authorities have a duty to secure education in a mainstream school for children with a statement of SEN, where this is what parents wish, provided the placement is appropriate for the child and is compatible with the education of other children and the efficient use of resources.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children with physical disabilities have been refused places in Roman Catholic schools in the Leicester area over the last year. [14337]

Mrs. Gillan

This information is not collected centrally.