§ 15. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Education whether she has any report to make on the conduct of a head-master who recently inflicted corporal punishment on a girl of eight years of age; whether the inquiry of the local education authority has been completed; and what action she proposes to take.
§ Miss WilkinsonI understand that this case will be considered further by a subcommittee of the local education authority on 18th December. It is for the authority to decide what action should be taken in the matter.
§ Mr. FreemanIs the right hon. Lady aware that at a medical examination soon after the event two heavy weal marks were found by an independent doctor on the buttocks of this little girl? Is it in accordance with the regulations of her Department that a headmaster can inflict such assault and punishment on a child without witnesses, without inquiry, without informing the child of the fault or crime committed, without giving any reasons, without any knowledge of the state of health of the child, without informing the parents or anybody else, and without anything being done by her Department?
§ Miss WilkinsonI am sorry, but this is one of the matters which come within the purview of local education authorities, and they must deal with their teachers on these questions of discipline.
§ Mr. FreemanIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.