§ 30. Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in the light of the recent dismissal of a medical officer at a Birmingham special school, he will send a circular to all local education authorities, giving guidance as to the duties appro- 806 priate to such officers, particularly in the field of sex education.
§ Mr. Denis HowellNo, Sir. Curriculum matters, including sex education, are the responsibility of local education authorities and their teachers; new advice through the revised version of my Department's pamphlet on Health Education will be published on the 31st July. The Birmingham Authority published, in 1967, after consultation with its teachers and doctors, a comprehensive booklet, containing a detailed programme on sex education, upon which it urged action by every school in the city.
§ Mr. PriceIs my hon. Friend aware that this particular case is scandalous? Does he not agree that in this sort of residential school for subnormal children something special is required of local education authorities to look after this side of the education of children?
§ Mr. HowellI do not agree with the adjective which my hon. Friend has used in this case, although there are some disturbing features in the evidence to which I am giving close attention.