Mr. MALONEasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is 862W aware that in many districts the lack of facilities for defective children is not due to the absence of room in the existing special schools but to the absence of special schools in certain areas altogether; and whether, in these cases where there is no school even in adjoining areas, he is prepared to consider the erection of new special schools?
§ Mr. FISHERI am aware that in certain areas there is an absence of special schools for defective children, in spite of the fact that it has been open to local, education authorities for many years to provide such schools with the assistance of the Board. Where the circumstances are exceptional I am prepared to consider, on their merits, proposals for the establishment of new special schools. I am now investigating the whole question of the cost and organisation of these schools, and their proper distribution in the country will certainly be one of the main factors to be considered when it becomes possible to resume their development.