§ 1. Sir J. Vaughan-Morganasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he now has for the abolition of corporal punishment in approved schools.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. James Callaghan)I am considering, in consultation with the professional and other organisations principally concerned, the development of alternative methods of controlling difficult behaviour so that the use of corporal punishment can be phased out.
§ Sir J. Vaughan-MorganThe Home Secretary's predecessor last August said that he was going to invite the associations particularly concerned to join the children's department in this consideration. Why has no firm action been taken if that were his intention?
§ Mr. CallaghanThe way is now clear for consultations to begin. They were held up for certain reasons with which the right hon. Gentleman is acquainted, but the Heads' Association have now been invited to discuss their views and their problems, including the need to provide adequate protection for staff and to clarify some of the provisions of the rules.