Clause 229
Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill
4:00 am
Sarah McCarthy-Fry (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Schools and Learners), Department for Children, Schools and Families; Portsmouth North, Labour)
I am making the point that they have certain powers without the power to search without consent. They can instruct a pupil to turn out their pockets or bag. They can confiscate, retain or destroy items if they find them. School and college staff need to be clear about what they can and cannot search for, otherwise we risk causing confusion and uncertainty. We will, of course, ensure that our new guidance gives staff the clarity that they need to use the new powers appropriately and professionally.
I want to turn to amendment 337 because I wish to assure hon. Members that it would be permissible under the Data Protection Act for school staff to view CCTV footage to establish whether a pupil has brought a prohibited item into school, so there is no need to specify that in the Bill. For the avoidance of doubt we will make this clear in our revised guidance. I hope that the hon. Gentlemen will not press their amendments.