§ Mr. J. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the shortage of staff at the occupational centre at Gogarburn Hospital has caused delays of up to two years in the training of children from West Lothian who would benefit from daily attendance at the centre, and that additional staff was promised to the hospital for this department a year ago; and if he will endeavour to increase this staff immediately.
§ Mr. J. StuartIt is the duty of local authorities to provide training and occupation for defective children not resident in institutions. The facilities at Gogarburn for resident child patients can be made available more widely than at present for others visiting daily for this purpose, if the local authorities are willing to defray the cost of the additional staff required. Discussions to this end are in progress, and I will let the hon. Member know the result. I am not aware of any promise made a year ago.