§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has issued any guidance to local education authorities regarding Her Majesty's Government's policy towards compliance by them with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights on corporal punishment pending a final decision by Parliament on the Education (Corporal Punishment) Bill; what representations he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnUntil there is a change in the law, the legal right to use corporal punishment in schools is not affected by the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Campbell and Cosans. As regards the Education (Corporal Punishment) Bill, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer earlier today to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett).