§ 25. Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what directions are given to local education authorities regarding the conditions of employment of part-time lecturers at technical colleges, schools of art and other establishments; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe only statutory requirement is that a part-time teacher employed for more than a year in further education should be employed under a written agreement or minute defining the conditions of service. Those conditions, for all part-time teachers, are a matter for agreement between them and their employing authorities.
§ Mr. Carter-JonesAre we not in grave danger of losing some extremely useful lecturers, some of whom have this as their sole source of income? Are not the variations in treatment which exist putting these people at grave risk economically?
§ Mrs. WilliamsYes, Sir. I agree with my hon. Friend that the position is far from satisfactory. However, my Department has no power of review over the dismissal of part-time teachers. The Education (No. 2) Act, 1968, will in some ways help because these people will be covered by articles of government which apply to colleges of further education. I suggest that they would be well advised, however, to organise themselves within a professional association or trade union.