§ Mr. Ryderasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has in relation to corporal punishment in schools; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith Joseph[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1983, c. 545]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I issued a consultative document on 28 July 1983 inviting comments on the practical issues involved in introducing arrangements which would allow parents to exempt their children from corporal punishment in schools. Over 100 organisations and individuals responded, and it is clear that there is concern about an exemptions system. We remain of the view, however, that, subject to compliance with the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights about respect for parental convictions against corporal punishment in schools, decisions on the use of corporal punishment should be left to the schools themselves.
734WAfter careful consideration of all the comments, we have concluded that the legislation envisaged in the consultative document should require schools to seek the views of parents of all children who might be subject to corporal punishment. The alternative of leaving the initiative to parents to make their wishes known to schools would involve too great a risk of mistakes and misunderstandings.
The legislation will apply to all maintained schools and to non-maintained special schools. It will also impose comparable obligations on independent schools in relation to local authority placements, to places in the music and ballet scheme and to places provided under the assisted places scheme.
We propose to introduce the necessary legislation in the next Session.