§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied there are sufficient schools to cater for the mentally handicapped children in Carlisle and Cumberland ; and if he will give an assurance that no child will be denied opportunity through lack of school premises and staffing shortages.
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§ Mr. K. RobinsonI assume my hon. Friend is referring to training centres for the subnormal. Five children are now on the waiting list for the local health authority training centres in Carlisle, but will be admitted next term. There is a waiting list of ten children in Cumberland which will be cleared when one more member of staff is appointed. I have no evidence of serious staff shortage in either area. Schools for educationally subnormal children are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.