§ 59. Mr. BARNESasked the Secretary for Scotland if he has any official information showing that certain school boards in Scotland are medically treating non-necessitous children on a scale of fees paid by parents, so that there is no loss to the ratepayers; and if he can make a statement on the matter?
Mr. McKINNON WOODWhen announcing to school boards the amount or Grant allocated to them for medical treatment for the year 1912-13, the Scottish Education Department intimated that when a board so desired, then arrangements for medical treatment might be available for children attending schools in their district; it being understood that a charge should be made for children whose parents are in a position to pay it, and remitted in the case of children dealt with under Section G of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908. From returns supplied by school boards it appears that eleven boards recovered sums amounting to £47 I5s. 8d. in respect of the treatment of 655 non-necessitous children. Most of these payments were for dental treatment or for spectacles. In the event of the Education (Scotland) Bill becoming law, it is proposed to make a further statement on the subject for the information of school boards.