§ 15. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland for how long each of the private fee-paying schools providing for mentally-handicapped and other handicapped children has been provisionally registered; and how many similar schools have been ordered to close in the last 10 years.
§ Mr. MonroCorsbie Hall School, Thornton, has been provisionally registered for 18 months, the Monken Hadley School, Newton Stewart, formerly fully registered as Corsbie Hall School, Newton Stewart, for four and a half months following a change of proprietor, and a new school, Merton Hall, Newton Stewart, for two and a half months. No school has been ordered to close in the last 10 years.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes the hon. Gentleman recognise that for 18 months Corsbie Hall School has been occupied by 50 or more children who are handicapped in one way or another and that some of the staff, if not all, are unqualified academically in any way whatever? Does he not recall that the English Secretary of State for Education advised English local education authorities to withdraw their children because it was thought the school was inadequate, and 1247 that that recommendation was based on a report made by the Scottish Education Department? This is an extremely unsatisfactory situation. Can the hon. Gentleman indicate what was the result of the latest inspection at Corsbie Hall?
§ Mr. MonroThe latest inspection was carried out three weeks ago. I have not yet studied the report—
§ Mr. William HannanWhy?
§ Mr. MonroIt is no use giving answers about a report before one has studied it. I shall study it and when I have studied it, and in good time, I will make an announcement. I think the hon. Gentleman is being a little hard on this school at the present time. A school must be allowed to settle down and time allowed for the carrying out of improvements which have been suggested. It does not follow, however, that conditions during that period are intolerable. Indeed, if they were I would not allow them to go on.