HC Deb 23 March 1979 vol 964 c123W
33. Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will introduce regulations to ban the use of the cane in special schools.

Miss Margaret Jackson

I am not at present convinced that the introduction of such regulations is the best way of proceeding. I am strongly opposed to corporal punishment and hope to see its disappearance, not just from special schools, but from all maintained schools in this country. Last November I held a series of informal meetings with a number of organisations which had submitted views on corporal punishment in response to a letter issued by my Department in 1977. We are now considering the position in the light of all the views which have been expressed.