§ Sir M. Galpernasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to compile a list of all private schools not subject to inspection by his Department.
§ Mr. CroslandUnder the Education Act, 1944, all independent schools are al-266W ready subject to inspection and registration.
§ Sir M. Galpernasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will take steps to ensure that all private schools, not subject to inspection by his Department, are conducted by fit and proper persons.
§ Mr. CroslandUnder the Education Act, 1944, all independent schools are subject to inspection by my Department and I have powers to take action against schools where I am satisfied that the proprietor is not a proper person to be the proprietor of an independent school.
In the light of the remarks made by Mr. Justice Donaldson in a recent case, I have asked my hon. Friend the Minister of State to undertake a departmental inquiry into the circumstances of the case and generally into the adequacy of existing statutory provision relating to proper standards of education and welfare in independent schools.
§ Mr. Hamlingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will introduce legislation for the registration and inspection of all private schools.
§ Mr. CroslandI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Shettleston (Sir M. Galpern).