§ 21. Sir T. Brintonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Miss Ira Brant of Kidderminster, who was committed to a Bristol approved school in order to discourage a harmful association with a married man although she herself had committed no offence, is being permitted to correspond with him and to receive a visit from him with the assistance of the responsible authorities.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganThis is a matter for the managers of the school. I understand that it is their view that to forbid correspondence would not help Miss Brant towards a resolution of her problems. One visit was allowed at Christmas, and this took place in the presence of her foster-mother and a representative of the managers.
§ Sir T. BrintonIs the Minister aware that, at the time this girl who had committed no offence was sent to approved school, there was widespread national concern that the reason for sending her there was to prevent a most undesirable association with a married man, and that the authorities have now permitted that association to continue and even, as the Minister has said, encouraged it? Does he think this is a just way to deal with the matter, and will he ensure that in future people are not sent to approved schools for this reason unless it will do some good in solving the problem?
MorganMiss Ira Brant was sent to that school by a court. The House will appreciate that it would not be appropriate to attempt to generalise about how far letters and/or visits in such cases as this can help a girl to get over a damaging relationship. This must be for the managers to decide in each case in the light of individual circumstances.