HC Deb 21 February 1989 vol 147 cc546-7W
Mr. Gareth Wardell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in theOfficial Report for each of the past 10 years and for each local education authority the number of serving teachers convicted of a criminal offence, separately distinguishing the type of offence, including those of a sexual nature.

Mr. Butcher

This information is not available.

Mr. Gareth Wardell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how his Department conveys information to local education authorities regarding serving teachers convicted of a sexual offence.

Mr. Butcher

When a serving teacher is convicted of a criminal offence it is the responsibility of the chief officer of police for the area in which the offence is committed to report the conviction both to the teacher's employer and to the Department. So it is not primarily a matter for the Department to inform the local education authority.

All cases reported to the Department by the police are, however, considered to determine whether action by the Secretary of State under the power conferred on him by the Education (Teachers) Regulations 1982 to bar or restrict a person's employment as a teacher is necessary, and in the case of a serving teacher the Department routinely informs his employer of the outcome of that consideration.