§ 43. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that approximately 50 per cent. of the boys and girls who leave deaf and dumb schools have no work to go to and remain unemployed for shorter or longer periods; and whether his Department concern themselves with finding employment for such boys and girls?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Sir Charles Trevelyan)The placing of deaf and dumb children is, I think, more successful than my hon. Friend supposes. He will find some information on this subject on page 164 of the Report of the Board's Chief Medical Officer, 1927. The Board are not themselves responsible for finding employment for these children. The usual facilities provided by Local Education Authorities exercising Choice of Employment powers, and by the Employment Exchanges, are, of course, available for pupils leaving deaf schools; but in the case of the large majority of these children employment is found through the head teachers or through voluntary agencies in direct consultation with employers.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs my right hon. Friend aware that 50 per cent. of the children leaving deaf and dumb schools have no work available for them and that this matter is left in the hands of voluntary associations who have not sufficient funds to enable them to carry on their work; and will he consider the advisability of having a representative inquiry into the whole of this procedure?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANI am perfectly ready to inquire further into the matter, but I think my hon. Friend rather exaggerates the gravity of the situation.