§ Mr. FREDERICK WHYTEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that many persons in Scotland apprehend that Clause 2, Sub-section (1), of the Mental Deficiency and Lunacy (Scotland) Bill is to be interpreted as meaning that defective children may be removed 222W from their homes without the consent of their parents; and whether, in order to allay such fears, he will make an early and authoritative statement on the point?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe Bill contemplates that a defective child, like any other child, should remain at home under the guardianship of his parents, and be educated or trained with the assistance of the school board when required. No child may be removed to other guardianship or to a special institution without the consent of the parents, except under a judicial order which will ensure full consideration of every reasonable objection on the part of the parent. Resort to this procedure should in practice he very exceptional, but there are special circumstances in which such a procedure may be necessary in the interest of the child.