§ 7. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the case in which seven girls were convicted at the Central Criminal Court of conspiring to escape from Magdalen Hospital Classifying School, of conspiring to assault and of maliciously wounding; and if he will inquire into the circumstances surrounding this case.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithMy right hon. Friend has inquired into the circumstances of this case. The incident, in which a member of staff was attacked in an attempt by a group of girls to abscond, was serious but fortunately isolated, and the general conduct and discipline of the school remained normal.
§ Mr. RobinsonDoes not the hon. Lady agree that the behaviour of these girls is a little unusual, even in a school of this kind, and that it suggests that all is not well? Will she perhaps look into the type of discipline which is enforced 1329 in this school with a view to altering it if necessary?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI am sure that the hon. Gentleman realises that there is always a possibility that one leader of, in this case, seven girls may commit an action which is reprehensible and which may dishearten one in the desire to maintain schools of this type for young offenders. The Home Office were promptly informed and the Chief Inspector and another inspector of the Home Office Children's Department visited the school and discussed the whole matter with the headmistress. Apart from this incident, of which the rest of the school were quite unaware, control and discipline have been normal.