HC Deb 20 December 1934 vol 296 cc1349-50W
Mr. E. EVANS

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether it is the intention of the Government to take any action on the report of the committee of inquiry into problems relating to partially-sighted children?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

The Board of Education are in general agreement with the report of the committee on partially-sighted children, and are taking steps, as opportunity arises, to give effect to the committee's recommendations.

Mr. E. EVANS

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether and, if so, which authorities have decided to adopt any of the recommendations of the committee of inquiry into the problems relating to partially-sighted children; and whether the board is prepared to give any guidance to local education authorities on the recommendation of the committee that partially-sighted children, instead of being segregated in special schools, should, when

of students who were members of the teachers' training department on the same date; the number of students who were resident at the beginning of the year in college and college hostels; and the number of students who, during each year, passed the final examination for a first university degree as members of the teachers' training department and as members of other college departments, respectively?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

The figures asked for are as follow:

possible, be educated in classes forming an integral part of ordinary elementary schools?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

A large number of local education authorities are considering the recommendations contained in the report of the Committee on Partially-Sighted Children, but the board are unable to say how many of them have already decided to adopt any of those recommendations. The board are in general agreement with the recommendation of the committee regarding the advantages of educating partially-sighted children in classes which form part of ordinary elementary schools. The proposal to make provision in one area on the lines indicated in the report has recently been approved by the board.