HC Deb 04 May 1983 vol 42 cc225-6
14. Sir Hector Monro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to which education authorities have decided to ban corporal punishment.

Mr. Younger

All but one of the Regional and Island councils in Scotland are moving towards elimination of corporal punishment in schools by the end of the 1983–84 school session.

Sir Hector Monro

Does my right hon. Friend really think that the abandonment of corporal punishment without any alternative measure will improve discipline in schools? Is he satisfied that the education authorities have had full consultations with teachers and parents?

Mr. Younger

As my hon. Friend knows, I have always stressed that the changes should be made in the closest consultation with the teachers and I advised local authorities to do so. I am confident, from what I have heard, that the problems are being satisfactorily dealt with. Although there are bound to be difficulties now and again, we should implement the policy in a steady and care fully calculated manner.

Mr. Craigen

What assessment has the right hon. Gentleman made of the staff time that is taken up with disciplinary matters nowadays? Is that not a factor that should be taken into account in Red Book standards plus?

Mr. Younger

I have not made any calculation of any changes in staff time that this may involve, but obviously such a change of practice is bound to demand a certain amount of extra effort from teachers. However, as most of the teachers concerned support the policy, they will think that it is an advance in education.

Mr. Corrie

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the real problem is that parental discipline is breaking down and teachers are being asked to do the jobs that parents are no longer doing? If parents want their children to be strapped at school, should not the headmaster have the freedom to do so?

Mr. Younger

I appreciate what my hon. Friend says and I agree that parents should play their part in disciplining their children. That must be stressed at all times. As my hon. Friend will be aware, that is one of the advantages that I believe will come once the new parental involvement in schools, which has been so carefully stimulated by my hon. Friend and others, takes effect. It will be a good thing to have much closer parental involvement in disciplinary matters.

Mr. O'Neill

Is it not irresponsible to require the ending of corporal punishment without adequate resources having been made available, when the right hon. Gentleman has already admitted this afternoon that there will be more work in the establishment of belt-free education in Scotland?

Mr. Younger

It probably would be irresponsible to make such changes with inadequate resources, but as the resources available are better than they have ever been, and as the money for school education is higher per pupil than it has ever been, the hon. Gentleman does not have much of a point.