§ 9. Mr. K. Lewisasked the Minister of Education how many education authorities forbid headmasters and teachers to use the cane; and how many authorities forbid teachers but allow headmasters to use the cane.
§ Sir D. EcclesIndividual authorities have discretion in this matter, and the information asked for is not available. I would hope that local education authorities in their turn leave to head teachers the choice of disciplinary methods.
§ Mr. LewisWould not my right hon. Friend agree that he would do much to help his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary if he requested education authorities throughout the country to allow corporal punishment, and not to forbid it as some of them do?
§ Sir D. EcclesI think that this is a matter in which we should leave the local education authority a discretion, but, in fact, good discipline in the schools, which is very necessary, is largely a matter for the head teacher, and if the head teacher thinks that the use of the cane is one method, I hope that he will be supported.