§ 33. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Education how many private schools have not yet responded to his request to supply lists of their staffs; when the schools were first approached for the information; and 552 what action has been taken in respect to these schools that have evaded supplying the information.
§ Mr. VosperOut of a total of about 3,500, twenty-three have not yet supplied staff lists. Of these, twelve were asked for the information comparatively recently and another nine either claim to have dispatched their list or have promised to send one.
§ Mr. DoddsDoes the Minister not appreciate the great importance of ensuring that children are taught by people who are fit to be with children? He has given me a number of similar answers. Is it not a fact that several hundred children are at the mercy of scoundrels in these private schools? Why is action not taken to see that teachers can be screened in schools which have not supplied the information?
§ Mr. VosperI do consider it an important matter. For that reason, I have pleasure in saying that no less than 99 per cent. of the schools have supplied the information. Of the twenty-three outstanding, only two have been outstanding for a considerable time. I feel that, for a voluntary operation, that is a particularly satisfactory result.