§ 77. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the President of the Board of Education what are the 40 areas in which no provision has yet been made for dealing with physically defective children; and what steps he is taking in the matter?
Duchess of ATHOLLAccording to the information at present in the possession of the Board, there are now not more than 35 areas in which the local authorities appear so far to have made no provision for physically defective children, but in some of these areas, a list of which 563 I am sending the hon. Member, such provision is being made by voluntary agencies. As local authorities are increasingly realising the importance of the matter, my right hon. Friend does not think that further action on his part is required at the present time.
§ Mr. COVEDo I understand from the Circular which was issued in the Press this morning that the President of the Board of Education will not allow any of these authorities to provide schools for defective children?
Duchess of ATHOLLNo, Sir; that is not in the Circular, nor is it the intention of my right hon. Friend. All that the Circular does is to draw the attention of the authorities to the question of the completion of the school medical services, which my right hon. Friend thinks is of primary importance.
§ Mr. COVEDo I understand the Circular aright when I say it states that all the money available should be spent on the medical services, and not upon special schools?
§ 78. Major HILLSasked the President of the Board of Education what is being done by the Board for the education of children of school age who are suffering from more than one defect; what is the number of such children of the various types of double or triple defect in England and Wales; and, as these children are found in small numbers all over the country and are not numerous in any particular area, can any steps be taken for the formation of a joint committee of the local education authorities for large areas for the purpose of providing suitable institutions for the instruction of such children?
Duchess of ATHOLLThis mater is receiving careful consideration. My right hon. Friend has been furnished with certain particulars regarding the education and care of children of this type, but he is afraid that complete statistics are not available. In so far as the children are mentally defective, they fall within the purview of the special committee which is now investigating the question of the provision that should be made for 564 mentally defective children, and my right hon. Friend is not at present in a position to make a statement on the subject.