§ 37. Mr. FOOTasked the President of the Board of Education the number of children in England and Wales under the age of 14 for whom, owing to their blindnes or other physical disability, no educational provision is at present being made?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Sir Charles Trevelyan)The returns furnished by local authorities show that, on the 31st December, 1929, the number of blind children in England and Wales, under the age of 16, not attending any school or institution was 557, that the corresponding number of deaf children was 305, and of cripples 5,461. The returns do not show how many of these children were under the age of 14. It must not be inferred that there is a need for further special school provision to the extent indicated by these figures, as they include some children under the age of compulsory school attendance and some children prevented by temporary difficulties from attending special schools.
§ Mr. FOOTIs the right hon. Gentleman satsified that the number of these children deprived of education is being satisfactorily reduced year by year?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANI am satisfied tha the position is getting better and that there is no special need for increased accommodation.