HC Deb 22 February 1967 vol 741 cc1690-1
6. Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he is considering for improving education prospects for mentally-handicapped children in Scotland.

Mr. Milian

My right hon. Friend has given approval in principle to education authorities starting projects for the improvement of educational provision for mentally-handicapped children to a value of about £2 million in the period 1967–70.

Mr. Steel

I wish to encourage the Secretary of State in this effort, but will the Under-Secretary of State recognise that there is a real problem being faced by parents of such children in that there is at present a hard line drawn between children committed to occupational centres and children committed to educational centres? Ought there not to be more flexibility between the two, according to the rate of progress of the children?

Mr. Millan

This is a difficult question, but I do not for a moment accept that there is a hard and fast line drawn. There is a good deal of flexibility already, and I remind the hon. Gentleman that both our special schools and occupational centres in Scotland, as distinct from England, are provided by the education authority, so that the opportunity for flexibility is certainly there.