§ 92. Mr. CRAWFURDasked the President of the Board of Education why a request by the education authorities of Middlesex, Ealing, Brentford and Chiswick, Heston and Isleworth, and subsequently Twickenham, to open a day school for mentally defective children was refused in December, 1927, and again in June, 1928, there being no such school in any part of this large area?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Lord Eustace Percy)The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that the proposal of the education authorities, to whom he refers, to open a day school for mentally defective children has been refused. The Board have, however, suggested that the proposal should be deferred pending the Report of the Special Committee on Mental Deficiency, which I hope to receive at an early date.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDIs it not a fact that these authorities have suggested that, pending that Report, there should be a temporary school for these unfortunate children?
§ Lord E. PERCYI do not know whether or not that is the case; so far as I know, no such suggestion has been made.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDCan the Noble Lord give an approximate date when this Report will be received?
§ Lord E. PERCYI am afraid I cannot. but I hope to receive it very soon.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it not a fact that there are very few mental defectives in the Conservative county of Middlesex?
§ Mr. R. MORRISONCan the Noble Lord give any indication, in view of the interest taken in this question, whether before the Adjournment for Christmas he will be able to make any statement on this Report?
§ Lord E. PERCYI cannot make any statement on the Report until I have received it, and I have not yet received it, but I hope to get it as early as possible.