HC Deb 29 March 1923 vol 162 cc700-1
15. Major CADOGAN

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the circular issued by him recently on the subject of special schools, it is intended that unqualified teachers will be given the responsibility of educating mentally-defective children: and whether it, is intended to increase the size of the classes in these schools?

17. Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the withdrawal of Circular 1,297, in view of the strong protests raised by local authorities and school managers against the proposed reduction of staffs?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Edward Wood)

I am afraid I can add nothing to the reply I gave on the 1st March to the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. Morrison), except. that, as I stated in my answer on Monday last to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson), I will consider any objections or representations that may be made on the draft of the revised Regulations relating to special schools.

18. Mr. SHORT

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of special schools provided for children of school age who are mentally and physically defective, and the number of children attending such schools?

Mr. WOOD

The number of special schools for mentally-defective children is 199, and on the 31st March, 1922, there were 15,975 children on the registers of those schools. The corresponding. figures for physically-defective children are 203 and 14,419.

19. Mr. SHORT

asked the President of the Board of Education whether under Circular 1297 it is proposed to introduce unqualified teachers into special schools provided for the education of mentally and physically defective children?

Mr. WOOD

I may refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave on the 1st March last to the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. Morrison), and on the 26th March to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson).

20. Mr. DARBISHIRE

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give an assurance that the revised Regulations relating to special schools referred to in Circular 1297 will be submitted to the House for consideration before being put into force?

Mr. WOOD

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 26th March to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson).