§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek powers to abolish corporal punishment to handicapped children.
§ Miss Joan LestorI deplore the use of corporal punishment in special schools but understand that it is very rarely administered in such schools. Following consultations in 1968 with teacher and local authority associations on its prohibition for handicapped children, the conclusion was reached that decisions on its use should rest with the schools and their managing and governing bodies, and with the local education authorities. I am currently considering whether there has been any change of opinion to justify reopening the issue.