HC Deb 19 March 1923 vol 161 cc2122-3W
Mr. MORGAN JONES

asked the President of the Board of Education, with reference to Circular 1,297 on special schools, whether the basis of comparison between crippled and ordinary children is the same as heretofore, namely, 2.5 cripples to one ordinary child; whether any alteration has been made with respect to the provision in the 1917 Act as to the amount of floor space to be allowed per child in special schools, namely, 15 square feet for mental defectives and 18 square feet for physical defectives; whether he is aware that if the circular be put into force it will result in a roll of 43 cripples in one class; and whether any special school managers or teachers have been consulted with regard to this circular?

Mr. WOOD:

I regret that I do not understand the first part of the hon. Member's question. As regards the second part, no alteration in the floor space per child allowed in special schools has been made since 1907, and none is suggested in Circular 1297. With regard to the third part, the largest number of cripple children in average attendance, allotted under the provisions of the Circular, to one teacher will be 30; and the answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.