§ 41. Brigadier Raynerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the recent thefts at Buckfast Abbey in South Devon and elsewhere by the girls of an approved school, he will tighten up the discipline in establishments of that kind.
§ Mr. EdeThe incidents to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, and which I sincerely deplore, occurred while 1513 St. Joseph's School was in holiday quarters and supervision had been relaxed. I am making inquiries into the arrangements for supervision at St. Joseph's School and when these are completed I propose that there should be discussions with the managers. I see no ground for asking approved school managers generally to alter their present methods of training.
§ Brigadier RaynerWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the softening up of discipline in prisons and approved schools during the last four years has heartily sickened the staffs of a good many of these institutions?
§ Mr. EdeI would not like to say that there has been any particular softening up during the last four years. The staff of this school are responsible for the school. I am making inquiries into this matter, and I then propose to have discussions with the managers.