§ Sir Peter Emeryasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what measures he intends to take to ensure that there is a proper investigation into the background of those in the independent further education sector and in voluntary youth centres for evidence of offences of child abuse, drink or drug abuse and of other misconduct against children;
(2) what measures he intends to introduce to vet teachers entering the profession for evidence of offences against children and drink or drug abuse, or of other misconduct.
§ Mr. Chris PattenJoint guidance from the Secretaries of State for Education and Science, Home Affairs, Social Services, and for Wales is at an advanced stage of preparation on new arrangements for checking the criminal background of those, including teachers, who are seeking to work with children in the statutory sector. It also deals with improvements in the arrangements for reporting convictions for offences committed after engagement. Similar arrangements for the voluntary and private sectors are at an earlier stage of consideration.