HC Deb 06 March 1952 vol 497 cc636-7
21. Mr. Julian Snow

asked the Minister of Education whether Her Majesty's Inspector, while investigating the cases of Margaret Harris and Linda Yates, who were removed by their parents from Walton Hall Special School, took steps to see the parents in question in order to hear direct their allegations of cruelty before he reported completely favourably on this school.

Miss Horsbrugh

No, Sir. It is the duty of Her Majesty's Inspectors to report to me on the conduct and efficiency of schools. It is not one of their duties to interview parents who have complaints to make against a school; this is a matter for the school authorities. Her Majesty's Inspector was, however, aware of the allegations made against the school before she sent me her last report.

Mr. Snow

Is the right hon. Lady aware that the local authority have held a special meeting to discuss these allegations and that they again came to the conclusion that there is no basis for these allegations? Is the right hon. Lady aware that some of the parents have been to see me and have maintained that their children have been cruelly treated? Is it not absolutely desirable, since her Department threatens to take action against these parents, that she should comply with the request I make? Is there not some duty on her Department to see that the parents are questioned?

Miss Horsbrugh

As I think the hon. Gentleman knows, members of the authority have met again—in any event, in the last three weeks—and have interviewed the parents. The hon. Gentleman has now been asked whether he will go to the school to see the authorities there and to make any inquiries he likes. I believe that if he looks into this matter he may have more confidence in the arrangements at the school than he has at present. If he would do that, I should be only too willing to discuss the problem with him, either now or after his visit.

Mr. Snow

Is the right hon. Lady not aware that many people, including myself, do not consider themselves competent to judge whether a school is well run or not? Is she further aware that I have received a third complaint about this school? Will she please look into the matter?

Miss Horsbrugh

I quite agree that many of us may not be competent, as the hon. Member says, to find out whether a school is run on the right lines or not. That is why we have the report of Her Majesty's Inspector. She visited the school, which she has known for a number of years—this is not the first occasion on which she has visited it—and afterwards made a report about it.