§ 30. Mr. GROVESasked the President of the Board of Education the number of blind and crippled children, respectively, throughout the country for whom no educational provision is made; and what action he proposes to take with local educational authorities who refuse to meet their obligations in this matter?
§ Lord E. PERCYAs the answer to this question is rather long, perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. GROVESMay I ask whether, if the Noble Lord proposes any additional arrangements with regard to blind children at present in schools, he would be good enough to see that there are not more than 15 in a class, or, if he does not contemplate any fresh arrangements in that direction, will he be good enough to receive a deputation of teachers interested in the instruction of blind children?
§ Lord E. PERCYI have already asked local authorities to give special attention to these matters, and I am sure that they are doing so.
Following is the answer:
According to the returns of local authorities in England and Wales for the year ended 31st December last-, there were 567 blind children (including 287 partially blind), and 4,301 crippled children (other than those suffering from active non-pulmonary tuberculosis), attending no recognised school or institution during the year. I may, perhaps, mention that large numbers of the crippled children not at present in special schools do not need to attend such schools, but rather require orthopædic treatment which will enable them to continue in attendance at ordinary public elementary schools, and I am taking all practicable steps to encourage the development of such treatment. As regards special school accommodation for blind and crippled children who need it, I have already asked all authorities to give their careful attention to the problem and to inform me what progress they are making.
§ 34. Sir HENRY CRAIKasked the President of the Board of Education what number of local education authorities have opened schools for physically defective children, either day schools or residential, and the number of each; what number of local education authorities are making adequate provision for physically defective children in their area to receive suitable education in accordance with Section 56 of the Education Act, 1921; and what number of local education authorities are setting on foot inquiries called for in the Board's Circular 1,349 of the 12th January, 1925?
§ Lord E. PERCYForty-eight local education authorities have provided schools for physically defective children. One hundred and thirteen of these schools are day schools and 37 are residential schools. There are also one day school and 71 residential schools for children of this type provided by voluntary bodies. As regards the second part of the question, the actual number of such authorities would be a matter of opinion. With regard to the last part, the material for a, specific answer is not at the moment available, but I can assure my hon. 2007 Friend that the matter is receiving the close and active attention of my Department.
§ 31. Mr. GROVESasked the President of the Board of Education the number of local education authorities who have not established clinics for the treatment of physically defective children; and what action he proposes to take if those authorities continue to refuse to make adequate arrangements?
§ Lord E. PERCYOut of 318 local education authorities, only seven have not yet provided any school clinics, and, of these seven, five have submitted proposals which are now before my Department. One of the remaining two cases is that of a small area where no clinic is required, and in the other case the authority have been requested to give the matter their urgent attention. I do not, of course, desire to suggest that in all cases the arrangements made in this respect are entirely adequate.
§ 36. Mr. PALINGasked the President of the Board of Education what provision is made by the West Riding (Yorks) County Council Education Authority for the training of mentally defective children of school age; and whether such provision is sufficient to meet the needs of the area?
§ Lord E. PERCYAccording to returns furnished by the West Riding Local Education Authority for the year 1924, there were in the area 528 children ascertained to be mentally defective within the meaning of the Education Act, 1921. The local authority have no school of their own for mentally defective children, but they have sent 23 children to special schools certified by the Board.
§ Mr. PALINGAre the local authority taking any steps to provide schools in the West Riding for these children?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSAre we to take it from the answer that in Yorkshire there are 470 or more defective children for whom no provision has been made?
§ Lord E. PERCYThe number is 528. As the hon. Member knows, the West Riding has a very large educational programme, which it has outlined in the rough. I cannot say without notice how 2008 far that programme provides for special school accommodation.