§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now take steps to end corporal punishment in remand homes and Government children's homes.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsIn my view corporal punishment is never a desirable way of exercising control and should be avoided whenever possible. Copies of a statement expressing this view were sent early in August to the managers of all approved schools and all children's authorities who provide remand homes and other children's homes in England and Wales. Following a review of the use of corporal punishment in approved schools which is now being carried out, I intend to invite the professional and other associations principally concerned to join with members of the Home Office Children's Department in developing alternative methods, with a view to phasing out the use of corporal punishment in approved schools as quickly and as completely as possible. These discussions will be extended to cover remand homes and children's homes, though the latter present few problems since corporal punishment has already been almost completely dispensed with in this category of homes.