§ Mr. Deerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement regarding the suspension of Mr. C. Gash, of Lowdham Grange Borstal establishment.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerMr. Gash is a teacher employed by the local education authority whose services have been made available for full-time teaching in the borstal institution. He has been employed as a teacher of illiterates since August, 1959. On 5th September, 1960, he tendered his resignation as from the end of the year, which was accepted. On 22nd November a newspaper published, in the form of a letter from Mr. Gash, the results of unauthorised inquiries 91W which he had made from his pupils about their views on corporal punishment. In canvassing the opinion of boys in the institution on a matter of current controversy and giving the results to the Press, he was acting contrary to accepted practice and, in my view, improperly. When the Governor took exception to his conduct, I am informed that his attitude was defiant, and the Governor therefore considered it proper to suspend him from duty until the matter could be investigated and considered by the Prison Commission. The Governor properly reported the action he had taken to Mr. Gash's employers.
I have been in touch with the local education authority. Mr. Gash will continue to receive his salary until his resignation takes effect, but he will not, in all the circumstances, undertake further duty in the Borstal.