§ 32. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Education how many proprietors of private schools have not yet responded to the request made by his Department to supply lists of their staffs; if he will 1105 give an estimate of the number of pupils who are connected with the schools; and what action he is taking to ensure that the young people concerned are given reasonable protection against undesirable teachers.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education (Mr. Dennis Vosper)Two hundred and thirty-four schools have not yet responded, of which 75 have probably closed. My right hon. Friend does not know the exact number of pupils involved, but all the schools concerned are small. He is taking action to hasten outstanding replies.
§ Mr. DoddsWill the hon. Gentleman say what action he is taking, because there must be several thousand children in these schools which have still not answered the request made to them months ago? What is the use of taking legislative action to deal with horror comics in order to protect children if some of these horror schools are not dealt with very quickly and ruthlessly?
§ Mr. VosperIt is a fact that 3,283 schools have replied. That compares with only 234 which have not, and that number is itself 46 better than the figure I gave when I previously replied to a Question by the hon. Member on 24th November. I should have thought that he would have shared my view that the progress made is encouraging.