HC Deb 17 February 1927 vol 202 cc1087-8
21. Mr. COVE

asked the President of the Board of Education, whether he has asked local education authorities to reconsider their programmes under the head of special services, with a view to substituting proposals in regard to the school medical services in place of proposals involving additional special school accommodation?

Lord E. PERCY

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the relevant passage in the Circular to which the hon. Member refers.

Mr. COVE

Is it not a fact that the Noble Lord asked the authorities to substitute proposals for medical services in place of special schools?

Lord E. PERCY

If the hon. Member wants to know what I have said, I am going to give him the actual passage.

Mr. R. MORRISON

In view of the interest that has been aroused by this Circular, will the Noble Lord arrange for copies of it to be available in the Vote Office?

Lord E. PERCY

Certainly.

Mr. COVE

Is the Noble Lord holding up expenditure on special schools until a Committee reports?

Lord E. PERCY

If the hon. Member wants to know what I have said and what I am doing, he can read my actual words.

Mr. COVE

Have we not a right to have an answer in this House?

Mr. SPEAKER

If the matter is not clear, another question can be put on the Paper.

Mr. COVE

On a point of Order—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member ought to put down any further questions on any point arising out of the first answer when he has received it.

Following is the relevant passage in Circular 1388 of the 11th February, 1927, referred to: 6. Special Services.—Under this head the Board feel that the first aim of national policy should be the completion of the School Medical Service. It will be understood that the Board do not underrate the value of Special Schools, but while no rule can be laid down which is universally applicable to all areas and to all types of physical defect, the completion of the School Medical Service would appear to be of primary importance, and the Board suggest that Authorities should concentrate on this definite aim. With regard to provision for mentally defective children, Authorities will be aware that this very difficult problem is now being explored by a special committee, and, save in exceptional circumstances, it would not seem prudent to incur heavy expenditure at the present moment on new schools for such children or on enlargements of existing schools. The adoption of such a policy may make it necessary for Authorities to reconsider their programmes under this head, and in some cases to substitute proposals in regard to the School Medical Service for proposals involving additional Special School accommodation.