In that case, what is the concern? Where is the guarantee in the Bill as drafted that those pilots will be completed before the independent review takes place? If the Minister is giving me that guarantee, I see no reason why it cannot be written into the Bill. We want...

In that case, what is the concern? Where is the guarantee in the Bill as drafted that those pilots will be completed before the independent review takes place? If the Minister is giving me that guarantee, I see no reason why it cannot be written into the Bill. We want...

The hon. Member for North-West Norfolk (Mr. Bellingham) wants to speak for a minute just before 9 pm. I hope to finish in sufficient time for that. Sadly, the Government have gone about this whole process in completely the wrong way, and as such they have created a monstrous mess....

The hon. Member for North-West Norfolk (Mr. Bellingham) wants to speak for a minute just before 9 pm. I hope to finish in sufficient time for that. Sadly, the Government have gone about this whole process in completely the wrong way, and as such they have created a monstrous mess....

We have had an interesting debate. Conservative Members are very keen to make this part of the Bill work. Our position is straightforward. We would rather that the Government put this part of the Bill on hold and waited until after the election, when the Government of the day could...

We have had an interesting debate. Conservative Members are very keen to make this part of the Bill work. Our position is straightforward. We would rather that the Government put this part of the Bill on hold and waited until after the election, when the Government of the day could...

I am with the hon. Gentleman—I accept new clause 2.

I am with the hon. Gentleman—I accept new clause 2.

I am very grateful to the Minister for that. As I am on a roll, is she prepared to accept new clause 7? [Interruption.] Perhaps I am pushing my luck a bit too far, but I believe that we have put a convincing, compelling case for new clause 7 as...

I am very grateful to the Minister for that. As I am on a roll, is she prepared to accept new clause 7? [Interruption.] Perhaps I am pushing my luck a bit too far, but I believe that we have put a convincing, compelling case for new clause 7 as...

Does my hon. Friend acknowledge that school teachers are sometimes in loco parentis? For example, when a pupil is violent towards a teacher, that teacher must defend himself or herself, and restrain the pupil, without using any physical admonishment at all. That is a very difficult line to tread.

Does my hon. Friend acknowledge that school teachers are sometimes in loco parentis? For example, when a pupil is violent towards a teacher, that teacher must defend himself or herself, and restrain the pupil, without using any physical admonishment at all. That is a very difficult line to tread.

That is where I am about to move to, but we needed to identify the parameters before moving to questions of substance and merit. It is arguable that there are circumstances in which people in loco parentis—that includes not just parents, but people with parental responsibility, so it is a...

That is where I am about to move to, but we needed to identify the parameters before moving to questions of substance and merit. It is arguable that there are circumstances in which people in loco parentis—that includes not just parents, but people with parental responsibility, so it is a...

I think that I have given way enough. We believe the most practical reform in this context is to amend section 58 of the Children Act 2004. The Government introduced that measure the last time we discussed this, and it was a compromise. We want the defence of reasonable punishment...

I think that I have given way enough. We believe the most practical reform in this context is to amend section 58 of the Children Act 2004. The Government introduced that measure the last time we discussed this, and it was a compromise. We want the defence of reasonable punishment...

Will the hon. Lady give way?

Will the hon. Lady give way?

I rise relatively early in this fairly short debate, partly to respond to the amendments tabled by the Opposition but partly to agree with both Opposition spokesmen that it is a matter of regret to us all that these matters were not debated in Committee. I sat through every Committee...

I rise relatively early in this fairly short debate, partly to respond to the amendments tabled by the Opposition but partly to agree with both Opposition spokesmen that it is a matter of regret to us all that these matters were not debated in Committee. I sat through every Committee...

Children, Schools and Families Bill. Report stage. New clause 17 debated and agreed to. New clause 1 debated and negatived on division (172 to 277), new clause 2 debated with new clauses 6-9 and 19. New clause 2 agreed to on question, new clause 7 negatived on division (173 to 280). Some amendments agreed to on division (386 to 41). Third reading debate. Agreed to on division (268 to 177) and Bill passed with amendments.

Children, Schools and Families Bill. Report stage. New clause 17 debated and agreed to. New clause 1 debated and negatived on division (172 to 277), new clause 2 debated with new clauses 6-9 and 19. New clause 2 agreed to on question, new clause 7 negatived on division (173 to...

I am glad to see that we are now in agreement.

I am glad to see that we are now in agreement.

indicated assent.

indicated assent.

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for his comments, and I shall listen to what he has to say in due course. The argument of the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole struck me as being somewhat confusing, but no doubt we will find out from the...

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for his comments, and I shall listen to what he has to say in due course. The argument of the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole struck me as being somewhat confusing, but no doubt we will find out from the...

This is a rather frustrating exchange, Mr. Deputy Speaker. When the hon. Gentleman has finished speaking I will explain the position. I cannot do that at sufficient length in an intervention, but I shall be happy to clarify the position for him as soon as he allows me to.

This is a rather frustrating exchange, Mr. Deputy Speaker. When the hon. Gentleman has finished speaking I will explain the position. I cannot do that at sufficient length in an intervention, but I shall be happy to clarify the position for him as soon as he allows me to.

Perhaps the Secretary of State would be kind enough to explain the situation.

Perhaps the Secretary of State would be kind enough to explain the situation.

indicated dissent.

indicated dissent.

The Secretary of State indicates that they would not fall within that category. For the purposes of what I understand to have been an exchange of letters followed by a review by Sir Roger Singleton, the question would turn on whether teachers would be prohibited from taking certain actions.

The Secretary of State indicates that they would not fall within that category. For the purposes of what I understand to have been an exchange of letters followed by a review by Sir Roger Singleton, the question would turn on whether teachers would be prohibited from taking certain actions.

I understand that but, as I may be able to explain as I move into the argument, the law on this subject is perhaps a little more complex than the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole suggested. Let me go back to what I was saying. The Liberal Democrats...

I understand that but, as I may be able to explain as I move into the argument, the law on this subject is perhaps a little more complex than the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole suggested. Let me go back to what I was saying. The Liberal Democrats...

indicated dissent.

indicated dissent.