HC Deb 31 March 1953 vol 513 cc1017-8
25. Sir D. Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the 12-year-old Sutherland boy, details of whose case have been sent him, has been deprived of any education while awaiting a vacancy in the Rudolf Steiner School. Aberdeen, or other similar school.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Henderson Stewart)

This unfortunate child could not be educated at an ordinary school. He requires a particular form of special educational treatment, and the number of special schools providing this treatment is very limited. The education authority are trying to get a place for him in the only type of establishment which might be able to do something for him.

Sir D. Robertson

Does my hon. Friend realise that this boy's father was killed during the crossing of the Rhine eight years ago, and that there is on the State a special responsibility to see that he gets a chance; and will he take immediate steps to see that this boy is taken out of the very small house in which he has been cooped up for all these years while his mental state has deteriorated? Is there not some building in the Highlands which could be used for this purpose?

Mr. Stewart

This is a very difficult and pathetic case, into which I have made very careful inquiries. I can assure my hon. Friend that everything possible is being done. It is hoped that the Rudolf Steiner School in Aberdeen might be able to do something for him, but the specialist's report is that the boy is virtually ineducable, which makes it exceedingly difficult.

Sir D. Robertson

Is my hon. Friend aware that I have recently seen this boy at his home with his mother, and that I am perfectly satisfied that if he had had some education in the last seven or eight years he would be in a much better state than he is today? Is it not quite wrong that any child like this should be left for seven years without any attention at all?

Mr. Stewart

The difficulty is that he is in such a state that there is no ordinary school in the country which could cope with this poor, unfortunate boy. There are only one or two special schools which are possibilities, and I assure my hon. Friend that we are doing our very best to pursue them.