§ 10. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Education why, in the case sent to her by the hon. Member for Southampton, Test, a man, now sentenced for offences against pupils, should have been accepted into a training college for teachers after being found guilty of gross indecency in the Army; and what steps she is taking to prevent such a thing from happening again.
§ Miss HorsbrughThis man was accepted in 1946 for training as a teacher under the special arrangements then made for men with war service. In the conditions of that time it was not always found possible to make such detailed inquiries into character as would normally be made, but I am satisfied that at the present time training colleges exercise great care in considering applications for admission.
§ Dr. KingWhile no one wishes to make a general rule of holding a man's previous record against him forever, is the Minister aware that the whole House is united in seeking to prevent convicted homosexuals from teaching in our schools and will be with her in every effort she makes to strengthen the precautions which can be taken to prevent that happening?
§ Miss HorsbrughI am sure that I would have the support of the whole House in this matter and that in these things we are all agreed, but these convictions were not known. I think that in the training colleges we now have better schemes for thoroughly going into the references as to character and everything else.
§ Mr. LewisDoes the right hon. Lady remember that three or four months ago she said, on the general question, that she was going to consult the Home Secretary to see whether between them they could take some further action on a general basis? May I ask whether or not she has had those discussions?
§ Miss HorsbrughMy right hon. and learned Friend and I have had discussions and discussions are going on. I know the House will realise that the matter has to be dealt with very carefully and that when we bring forward a scheme it has to be a good one.