The parents of classroom "malcontents" face on-the-spot fines, the education secretary has warned.

Queen's Speech legislation is already expected to signal fines for litter-bugs, noise nuisances and street yobs.

And in a Times interview, Charles Clarke warned that cash sanctions for the mother or fathers of truants or disruptive pupils are also on the way.

Signalling his determination to stop "malcontents wrecking classes", Clarke suggested that new laws will give police and education welfare officers powers to fine the parents of problem children.

"We need to have a situation where there is order in class and where sanctions are taken against children who do not respect that order," he told the newspaper.

Current instant penalties to tackle street yobs drunkenness range from £40 to £80 but education officials have not yet put a price on school misdemeanours.

The newly appointed education secretary - who taught for a year in a London classroom 28 years ago - will give exclusion powers back to schools.

After a series of rows following the reinstatement of violent pupils Clarke will shift appeals panels away from being a "group of well-intentioned people" to include greater representation from schools.

"It is important that the authority of the head teacher is strengthened to every extent possible," he said.