Clause 2

Part of Education Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 5:45 pm on 8 March 2011.

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Photo of Meg Munn Meg Munn Labour, Sheffield, Heeley 5:45, 8 March 2011

My hon. Friend has identified a flaw, but there is more than one flaw in the clause. I am exploring it in such detail, because I genuinely cannot believe that it is the right thing to do. When we had discussions with witnesses last week, what was said highlighted a serious concern that the Government need to think very carefully about. I am not the only one who struggles with this issue. Sir Alan Steer said:

“I am struggling on that one, because that would be something that I would avoid under almost all circumstances”.

He was not able to identify any circumstances in which he would use the power. He also said that if teachers

“thought that the child had a dangerous implement, I would urge them to call the police, rather than actually embark on a search.”––[Official Report, Education Public Bill Committee, 1 March 2011; c. 45, Q90, 92.]