HC Deb 08 July 1880 vol 253 cc1916-7
BARON HENRY DE WORMS

asked the Vice President of the Council, Whether, in view of the continued complaints of teachers under the Educational Department in all parts of the country, the Department will in future, before suspending or cancelling any teacher's certificate, give the teacher against whom a charge is made an opportunity, either in person or by a representative, of learning the nature of such charge, and of making such explanations as may be necessary?

MR. MUNDELLA

On the 27th of May I stated fully, in reply to the Question of the hon. and gallant Member for East Aberdeenshire (Sir Alexander Gordon), the practice of the Education Department in dealing with charges affecting teachers' certificates. I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that no certificate will be suspended or cancelled without the teacher being fully informed of the nature of the charge against him, and without the most ample opportunity being afforded him of replying thereto, and of making such explanations as he may deem necessary. I am not of opinion, however, that any good purpose would be served by personal explanations, and I am entirely opposed to the intervention of third parties.