asked the Minister of Education what progress is being made in the provision of accommodation for training backward children in the northwestern area of Middlesex.

There are six special schools for the education of backward children in Middlesex, and one other is proposed. The training of backward children who have been reported as ineducable does not fall within the functions of the local education authority.

But there are still a number of children who are educable who are on the waiting list and are unable to be taken in at the present time. Will my right hon. Friend see whether he can speed up the conversion of this other school in respect of which he promised, in June, 1947, that he would give some assistance?

I will look into that but it is still on the programme.