Mr. SILVESTER HORNEasked the President of the Board of Education whether he had any official information showing that teachers in public elementary schools were appointed as sub-agents of political parties during the recent General Election; and, if so, whether such action on the part of Civil servants had the sanction of the Board of Education?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Runciman)I have no official information on the subject. My attention has been drawn to certain cases in which it is alleged that teachers in public elementary schools were so employed, and I shall be glad of any further information as to the extent to which the practice may have prevailed. Teachers in public elementary schools, however, are not technically Civil servants, and I am not sure how far the Board have any authority to interfere with their liberty of action outside the school hours. I think that hon. Members on both sides of the House will agree with me that, in view of their relations to the parents of their pupils, it is most undesirable that teachers should act as political agents or sub-agents in the immediate neighbourhood of their schools.