HC Deb 10 November 1966 vol 735 cc1521-2
22. Mr. Hamling

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what experiments are being conducted by his Department in educating mentally handicapped children.

Mr. Redhead

The Department is supporting a number of relevant research projects, which are included in the list given in the OFFICIAL REPORT of 17th February, 1966.

Mr. Hamling

I thank my hon. Friend for the helpful attitude of his Department, but is he aware of the growing feeling in this sector of education that a great deal more can be done for these children educationally than was considered possible some years ago?

Mr. Redhead

I accept that view, and my hon. Friend can have my assurance that I am personally concerned to see that all effective measures of research are undertaken. I have been laying plans to see a number of such projects to judge their results.

Mr. John Hall

Is similar action being taken in respect of spastic children, who, on the whole, do not seem to receive the same help as the mentally handicapped?

Mr. Redhead

Any project put to us for research in this regard will be most carefully and sympathetically considered.