§ 47. Sir WALDRON SMITHERSasked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that he and his predecessor have received during the past three years complaints concerning the manner in which appointments have been made to the teaching profession in South Wales and Monmouthshire, he will state what action he has taken to inquire into and to remedy these complaints?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Oliver Stanley)Beyond certain references in the public Press three years ago, no complaints concerning the manner in which appointments have been made to the teaching profession in South Wales and Monmouthshire have been brought to the 848 notice either of myself or of my predecessor. In the absence of any evidence that appointments to the teaching profession have been made in an improper manner, the question of intervention on my part has not arisen.
§ Sir W. SMITHERSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the method of making these appointments is a subject of great scandal in South Wales, and would he use his authority to stop the practice?
§ Mr. STANLEYIf the hon. Gentleman has any evidence, I should, of course, be glad to go further into the matter and to take any appropriate action.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESOn a point of Order. May I draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to the fact that the hon. Gentleman has made a specific allegation? He says that the right hon. Gentleman and his predecessor have received complaints with regard to this matter. May I ask whether these local authorities are not entitled to protection against these most unjust allegations?
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLIs it not in your power to request the hon. Gentleman to withdraw an allegation of this kind or to prove it?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have no power to do either. My only power is to see that if a Member puts down statements in a question he makes himself responsible for them.
§ Mr. GRENFELLHave we no protection against hon. Members who put down questions of this kind?
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Thurtle.