§ Mr. GOLDSTONEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether certificated teachers in the Home Office schools are subject to dismissal by the governors of such schools without appeal; whether he is aware that evidence was given before the Departmental Committee to the effect that teachers were dismissed in such schools without any appeal or without being allowed to be heard in their own defence, and that cases of injustice had occurred in consequence; whether such evidence has been ignored by the Committee; and, if so, whether he will consider the evidence submitted on this point and make such regulations as will provide a court of appeal in all cases of dismissal of teachers in such schools?
§ Mr. McKENNACertificated teachers, as all other officers in Reformatory and Industrial Schools, are appointed and liable to be dismissed by the managers of the schools. Two witnesses representing the National Union of Teachers gave evidence before the Departmental Committee asking that teachers in these schools should have a right of appeal to the Home Office; but the Committee made no recommendation on the subject. I have considered the evidence given before the Committee; but I do not see my way to take action in the matter; the managers are responsible for the conduct of the school and for the care and training of the children, and if this responsibility is to be preserved, it is essential that they should have full control of the staff.