§ 25. Mr. BATEYasked the President of the Board of Education if he can now agree to restore the teaching certificate which he took away from John Towers, schoolmaster, of Hedley Hill School, County Durham, two years ago, and which has prevented this man from teaching for the last two years?
§ Lord E. PERCYNo, Sir.
§ Mr. BATEYHas the Noble Lord forgotten that all that this man did was to cane two boys? For caning two boys the Minister has forced him to undergo two years' unemployment. Does he consider that that comes under the Act?
§ Lord E. PERCYI have nothing to add to the answer that I have given and to the statements that I have already made in this House on this subject.
§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether any prisoner would be treated in such a way as 1064 Mr. Towers has been treated for a very small offence; and is he aware that if the matter had been left to the local education authority they would have dealt with it effectively and shown more humanity towards Mr. Towers?
§ Mr. SHINWELLDoes the Noble Lord not think that this man has been sufficiently penalised, having regard—[HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]. I am addressing my question to the Noble Lord.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Minister said that he had nothing to add.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIt is quite within the competence of the right hon. Gentleman to say that he has nothing to add, but I am trying to elicit further information from him. May I address my question to him? Does he not think that this man has been sufficiently penalised in having been deprived of employment for two years, and, having regard to the fact that the local education committee are prepared to re-employ him, will he not re-consider the matter?
§ Mr. BATEYSeeing that the Minister will not reply—[Interruption]—I shall, at the end of questions, ask your permission, Mr. Speaker, to move the Adjournment of the House.