Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many occupational centres are available in Scotland for the young mentally handicapped; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossLocal education authorities at present provide 64 centres, with 1,578 places, for mentally handicapped children between the ages of 5 and 16 who have been ascertained as ineducable but trainable. Further developments are planned, 47W the major ones being at Kirkintilloch, Cumbernauld, Blackburn, Irvine and Girvan.
Local health authorities provide 274 places in 22 centres, and voluntary bodies 161 places in 9 centres, for mentally handicapped children under the age of 16 who have been ascertained as ineducable and untrainable. In addition local health authorities provide 1,896 places in 55 centres, and voluntary bodies 355 places in 12 centres, for mentally handicapped persons over the age of 16 including young adults. Further centres are planned, including two in Glasgow for children under 16 and others at Dundee, Aberdeen City, Motherwell and Wishaw, Aberdeen County and Dunbarton County mainly for adults.