§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many special needs places are available in special schools in England and Wales; and what the equivalent figure was in 1997. [52528]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisInformation on the number of special needs places available in special schools is not collected.
The numbers of pupils on roll in maintained and non-maintained special schools in January 1997 and 2001 were 98,249 and 95,598 respectively. This represents 1.2 per cent. of all pupils in 1997 and 1.1 per cent. in 2001.
For information on Welsh special schools I refer the hon. Member to the National Assembly for Wales.