HC Deb 23 June 1955 vol 542 cc1502-3
54. Mr. M. Stewart

asked the Minister of Education whether he will issue a statement giving the names of all schools which have been inspected in accordance with Circular 196, and indicating, in regard to each school, whether a report of the inspection has been published.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education (Mr. Dennis Vosper)

My right hon. Friend has considered this proposal. About 3,500 schools are involved, and merely to list their names would not give the public information of value.

Mr. Stewart

But does not the hon. Gentleman realise that the public is continually discovering—often when it is too late—that there are many very vicious private schools in existence? If a list of these were available the fact that a particular school's name was not on it would at least give some helpful indication to parents.

Mr. Vosper

I am aware of the cases which the hon. Member has in mind, which are fortunately limited, but a list such as that to which he refers would include practically every independent school in the country and would, in fact, include the school which the hon. Gentleman has in mind. Parents would be better advised to consult their local education authorities if they are in doubt.

Mr. Stewart

Is the hon. Gentleman saying that the school which he rightly says I have in mind had not only been visited, but that the report upon it had been published? If so, could the report be made available to hon. Members?

Mr. Vosper

I think that the hon. Gentleman misunderstands the purpose of the circular in question. My right hon. Friend has no power to publish the report, but I understand that the school in question has been inspected under the terms of this circular.

Mr. Stewart

Can the hon. Gentleman say, not only whether the school had been inspected, but whether the reports on it had been published?

Mr. Vosper

The answer is "No," but I must repeat that my right hon. Friend has no power to publish reports on any school.