§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many teachers in privately run publicly financed approved schools have the appropriate qualifications for their position.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead (Mr. Whitaker) on 8th March.—[Vol. 742, c.309.]
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has received of unnecessary harsh discipline in approved schools resulting in severe bruising.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsNone. Corporal punishment is permitted, subject to strict conditions prescribed in the Approved School Rules. Investigation of cases where complaint has been made has established that the punishment was given in accordance with the Rules.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent parental co-operation is encouraged in approved schools.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe interest and co-operation of parents is essential to the success of approved school training, and schools make every effort to secure and encourage it.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities exist for visitors to approved schools.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsFacilities vary from school to school. Parents often take their children away from the school for a short time; where this is not permitted, or for other reasons the visit takes place at the school, suitable accommodation is provided, so far as possible in private.
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§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to take over control of the privately run but publicly financed approved schools in the interests of the inmates, the teachers, and the parents.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI would ask my hon. Friend to await the outcome of the Government's study of the comments received on the White Paper "The Child, the Family and the Young Offender" (Cmnd. 2742). The proposals in the White Paper for the future of the approved schools were generally welcomed.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many privately run, but financed out of public funds, approved schools there are in this country.
§ Mr. Roy Jenkins93 schools are corn-ducted under voluntary management in England and Wales.