§ 52. Mr. HARRISasked the President of the Board of Education how the special Committee of the Board on mentally defective children is constituted and what are the terms of reference to the Committee: whether representatives of the Board of Control have been added to the Committee; and whether any other associations of persons interested in the care and treatment of mentally defective children are to be invited to join the Committee or to give evidence before the Committee?
Duchess of ATHOLLAs regards the first part of the question, my right hon. Friend would refer the hon. Member to the replies given by him to the hon Members for Wellingborough (Mr. Cove)' and West Newcastle (Mr. Palin) on the 21st February and the 24th March, respectively. If he will look at the passages in the Chief Medical Officer's Reports for 1923 and 1924 mentioned therein, he will see that the Committee includes among its members a Commissioner of the Board of Control as well as other persons with special knowledge and experience on the subject. My right hon. 867 Friend understands that the Committee have not yet decided whether to invite evidence.
§ Mr. HARRISWill this Committee report at an early date?
Duchess of ATHOLLIt is not possible to give an answer to that question without notice. If the hon. Gentleman will look at the Report he will see that the Committee is engaged on special investigation by an expert.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONThis Committee was set up in 1924. Can the Noble Lady say whether any Report has yet been issued which is available to Members of the House?
Duchess of ATHOLLI understand that the Committee is not in a position to issue a Report until the result of the expert investigation to which I have just referred is available.