§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he has given to evidence presented by the Professional Association of Teachers in the spring issue of the magazineThe Professional Teacher, a copy of which has been sent to him, that 32 per cent. of teachers had suffered physical violence at the hands of pupils.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe information provided by the association shows that 32 per cent. of the 1,500 members of the association who replied to their questionnaire which represents about 4 per cent. of the total membership, had been attacked by a pupil at some time. We are looking carefully at this and other available information in considering whether to establish a committee of inquiry into discipline in schools.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied that effective disciplinary procedures exist in schools to ensure proper teaching can take place; and if he will set out those procedures, together with any guidelines that may have been laid down by his Department for their cases.
§ Mrs. RumboldDisciplinary procedures within schools are primarily a matter for the headteacher and the governors of individual schools. The Education (No. 2) Act 1986, will strengthen their authority by giving them direct responsibility for maintaining discipline. A recently published report by Her Majesty's inspectorate, "Good behaviour and discipline in schools", which has been issued to schools, gives advice on best practice in maintaining discipline. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.