§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the question of the education of children formerly attending the special school at Greenock, which is causing much misgiving in that area; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. ColvilleI am informed that when the Greenock special school was taken over by the Civil Defence authorities, the education authority made provision for the education of the physically defective children concerned in the day schools nearest to their homes. It was not, however, possible to make similar provision for the mentally defective children, owing to the need for instruction of these children in separate classes. A new building for the air-raid precautions service at present occupying the special school is in course of erection, and it was hoped that it would be ready in December, when the school would have been released for its normal use. Owing to the shortage of materials this hope has not been realised. I am now in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security with a view to expediting the completion of the new building.