§ 105. Mr. Garry Allighanasked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that Seabrook Lodge, Maidstone, a school under the authority of her 85W Department, contains the full complement of 31 boys undergoing instruction and that they also have two waiting lists; that boys well down the list may have to wait a year before they can hope for admission; and what steps she is taking to increase the facilities for handling these special juvenile cases.
§ Miss WilkinsonI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to Seabrook Lodge, Hythe, which was opened tact October as a special school for educationally subnormal boys. The school could take 60 pupils, but the numbers have had to be temporarily restricted to 31 because of the difficulty of obtaining domestic staff. As soon as the necessary staff has been engaged, additional boys will be admitted, and I have approved in principle a proposal by the Kent local education authority to acquire some adjoining property which will enable the school to be expanded.