The Education Secretary last week rejected a call from the Children’s Commissioner for England for a ban on smacking children.

Nadhim Zahawi said mothers and fathers are “entitled” to be able to discipline their youngsters.

Dame Rachel de Souza had earlier told Times Radio she would be “supportive” if the Government decided to follow Scotland and Wales in banning physical punishment of children, suggesting it is something that should be considered in England.

But Mr Zahawi said he did not believe the state should be “nannying” parents about the way they bring up their children and there was a “very big difference” between a “light smack on the arm” and child abuse.

The Oldham Times asked readers whether they agreed that 'lightly' smacking a child was OK and there was a strong, though divided, response. 

Many agreed with the Education Secretary, with Shirley Loughlin commenting: "If the child is doing something that may hurt them like reaching for a socket a light snack will tell them they mustn’t do it."

David Allen was also in support of Mr Zahawi's stance, writing: "If you don't discipline your child, what kind of adult are they going to grow up to be, when they think they can do anything and it's ok, as they got away with it when growing up, you have to teach your kids right from wrong."

For many, it was how they had been disciplined as children, with Wendy Barnes saying: " Never did me any harm. Made me learn respect."

There were many who disagreed, however, with Susan Billing commenting: "Teach a child that violence is ok I don’t think so!"

Max Lewis added: "Try talking to your children, praise when they do well....they will get the message."

Many also questioned how effective such a law would be, with Pauline Kennefy saying: "How do they enforce this? I think there is a world of difference between lightly smacking and beating a child, perhaps the authorities should put more effort into taking care of children that are on the ‘at risk’ register."

Andrea McEntee agreed, writing: "I don't think that by making smacking illegal will have any difference.

"If a parent is going to hit their child -- they will not be put off by the legality of it."