§ 23. Mr. Barnett Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the result of his consultations with the Minister of Health and the Minister of Education about appropriate provision to be made for the disposal of cases by the juvenile courts for epileptic children who cannot be accepted in approved schools.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeThe few children suffering from major epilepsy who are sent to approved schools are placed, wherever possible, in special schools for epileptic children provided under the Education Act, 1944, or, in appropriate cases, in hospital. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Education is anxious to increase the provision made for epileptic children in special schools as quickly as circumstances allow.
§ Mr. JannerDoes the Home Secretary realise that the position is difficult in respect of children suffering from major epilepsy who come before juvenile courts in that those courts have no idea where they can send these children? I am not speaking of children sent to approved schools, but of children who cannot be sent to approved schools because there is no place for them. Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman give magistrates directions as to where they can send these children, and provide accommodation for them?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeThe approved school boys and girls under 16 who suffer from major epilepsy are placed in special schools. Where they cannot be so placed because of shortage of places, they usually have to be discharged to their own homes. I am glad that the hon. Member has mentioned the matter because it enables me to state the practice. I shall certainly look into the point, which is one with which we are concerned.