Miss LEEasked the Secretary of Stats for Scotland the number of places available in special schools for backward and defective children; and whether provision of this kind is now available for all children unable to profit by ordinary school courses?
§ Mr. WESTWOODThe total number of places available in special schools and classes is 12,852. This figure includes accommodation for blind, deaf-mute and other physically defective children as well as for mentally defective children Backward children are not enrolled in special schools, but are provided for in tutorial classes in the ordinary schools. No statistical information is available regarding the number of such children. While the provision made for certain types of defective children is on the whole adequate, more accommodation is still required for mentally defective children This matter is at present engaging the attention of the Scottish Education Department, and my right hon. Friend is hopeful that measures will soon be taken to effect an improvement.