§ 22. Mr. HARRISasked the President of the Board of Education how many medical men and inspectors (education) are allocated to the Special Services Department of the Board of Education; are special schools generally inspected by medical men or by inspectors (education); what is the number of medical men and inspectors (education), respectively, engaged in visiting and/or inspecting special schools in the country; whether the Board of Education, in approving of the appointments of school medical officers, has laid down any minimum qualifications as to a training in psychology or a knowledge of schools and educational organisation; and what qualifications, in addition to ordinary medical qualifications and experience, are required by the Board when approving the appointment of certifying medical officers?
§ Lord E. PERCYIn addition to the chief medical officer, seven medical officers (five men and two women) are employed in the Medical Department of the Board. These officers, under the direction of the chief medical officer, are responsible for the inspection of all special schools, but the inspection of day special schools for physically defective children is also part of the duty of His Majesty's Inspectors. The latter also visit day schools for blind, deaf and mentally defective children from time to time, but the special problems presented by these schools necessitate regular inspection by medical experts. Special schools of all types are, in addition, inspected by the inspecting staffs of local education authorities. The answer to the fourth part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part, before approving a medical officer as a certifying officer, the Board satisfy themselves that he has had special experience in the examination of children for conditions of mental deficiency.