§ 20. Mr. T. SMITHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of 550 Education what education authorities in England and Wales have received sanction to open special schools during the last 12 months; whether there are separate funds at the disposal of the board for providing such schools; and what are the conditions laid down by the board before sanction is given to an education authority to open such schools?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMProposals by local education authorities for the provision of new special schools have, since the 1st December, 1933, been approved in the case of eight authorities. In addition, proposals have been approved for the provision, in five areas, of new premises for existing special schools. Expenditure on special schools forms part of the capital expenditure of local education authorities on which the board pays grant. The board are prepared to consider proposals on their merits having regard to the character of the provision proposed, the type of area, the extent of the existing provision, the cost of the proposal, and any other relevant factors.