HC Deb 27 June 1938 vol 337 cc1543-5W
Mr. Doland

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that damages were granted to a 12-year-old boy, Patrick Ryan, against Miss Ellen Fildes, the headmistress of St. Austen's Boys' School, Thatto Heath, St. Helens, Lancashire, and that damages were also awarded against the school managers, and whether, as this judgment might apply to all school managers whose duty is of a voluntary character, he will consider an alteration of the law to prevent the imposition of this liability on the part of persons who give their services voluntarily and who have no jurisdiction over the actions of the school employès when administering corporal punishment to scholars?

Mr. Lindsay

I understand that there may be an appeal in this case and comment would, therefore, be inopportune.