HC Deb 30 October 1906 vol 163 cc886-8
*MR. O'GRADY (Leeds, E.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to a case in Birmingham where the head teacher at the Birmingham School of Art, receiving a salary of £400 per annum for his services as teacher of modelling, has been for some time working at stone carving on a number of new buildings in the district, thus displacing competent stone carvers, whose only means of earning a living is to work at their trade; and, if so, will he say whether this is a violation of the regulations; and whether an inquiry will be made into the case, and steps taken generally to prohibit the adoption of such practice in future.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Mr. BIRRELL,) Bristol, N.

I surmise that the person referred to was the principal teacher of the modelling department of the school and not its head-master. The teaching staff of the Birmingham School of Art are employed by the local education authority, and do not serve the Board of Education. The only regulation of the Board, as regards schools of art receiving grants from the Board, bearing on such a matter, is one which enacts that the teaching staff "must not engage in any other employment which will prevent the efficient discharge of their duties as teachers." The Board have no knowledge of this particular case, but certainly work of the nature referred to in the Question would not be any infringement of this regulation. The Board have no power under the Regulations to intervene unless they have grounds for supposing that the employment of the teacher on outside work was, in fact, interfering with the efficient discharge of his duties as a teacher. The matter is one for the local authority to consider.

*MR. O'GRADY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the head master of the Birmingham Art School stated that no teacher was allowed to carry on business outside, and yet this teacher has contracted to do outside labour?

MR. BIRRELL

That is a question for the local authority. I can only intervene with a teacher who undertakes work which interferes with the efficient discharge of his duty.

*MR. O'GRADY

But is not the right hon. Gentleman of opinion that such work as this would interfere with the teacher's work in his school?

MR. BIRRELL

If it were brought to my notice that a teacher was doing outside work to interfere with his teaching business I should intervene.

*MR. O'GRADY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that men engaged in stone carving in Birmingham have pointed out that it is an interference?

MR. BIRRELL

Then why does not the local authority interfere? If the matter is brought to my notice I will consider if it does interfere with the duties of the teacher.