§ Mr. R. MORRISONasked the President of the Board of Education whether 1751W he can make any statement as to the effect of the Circular issued by him at the end of last year, urging local education authorities to make provision for the education of abnormal children by establishing special schools or special classes?
§ Lord E. PERCYThe replies which I have received to the Circular issued on 12th January last, indicate that authorities are generally alive to their responsibility for making proper provision for the education of defective children. They have submitted, or have under consideration, proposals for a substantial increase of special school accommodation and, where mentally-defective children cannot be accommodated in existing special schools, for the establishment of supervisory arrangements and special classes for dull and backward children. A number of authorities are contemplating orthopædic schemes for crippled children. In considering these and any other proposals which I may receive I shall, of course, have regard to the general programmes of educational development which I have asked authorities to submit to me.