§ 19. Major KINDERSLEYasked the President of the Board of Education whether he has completed his inquiry into the circumstances attending the recent conviction of the headmaster of Hedley Hill Council School for assaulting two children of a miner who had returned to work; and, if so, what action he has taken in the matter?
§ Lord E. PERCYYes, Sir. After careful consideration of all the circumstances of this case, I have informed the teacher that the Board are unable to recognise him further as a teacher in any capacity in any school in respect of which grant is paid by the Board.
§ Mr. BATEYOn what ground is the Noble Lord taking this extreme step of cancelling this schoolmaster's certificate?
§ Lord E. PERCYI have taken it on the round that I do not think I could take the responsibility of compelling children to attend the school, and to be placed under the care of a man who has acted as this man has done.
§ Mr. BATEYIs the Noble Lord aware that all the parents of the children attending the school have sent a petition, which I have in my hand, protesting against this teacher's certificate being cancelled, and saying that they are prepared to stop the children from attending school if he be refused his position?
§ Lord E. PERCYThe hon. Member has shown me that petition from a number of parents, but the responsibility for saying who teaches in the schools is mine, and I must take that responsibility.
§ Mr. BATEYIs the Noble Lord aware that the petition is not from "a number of parents," but is signed by all the parents who have children attending the school, including even the mother of the children who were caned?
§ Lord E. PERCYThat is a new fact which the hon. Member did not tell me this morning. It seems to me such a curious fact that I should like to know something more about how the petition was got up.
§ Mr. J. HUDSONMay the House take it for granted that the right hon. Gentleman will now use this action as a precedent against all teachers who take disciplinary action against their children for offences committed against the order of the teacher, and given by the teacher in the interests of the child? Is this procedure—
§ Mr. BATEYOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, and the importance of this case of cancelling a certificate because a teacher merely caned two children, I give notice that on the adjournment to-night I will raise this question.