HC Deb 25 March 1908 vol 186 cc1410-1
SIR WILLIAM ANSON (Oxford University)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education what steps are being taken towards the formation of a registration council, with a view to the establishment of a register of teachers, as provided by the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act of last session.

MR. McKENNA

In view of the terms of Section 16 of the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907, which contemplated the establishment of "a Registration council representative of the teaching profession," and assigned to such a council and not to the Board of Education the "duty of forming and keeping a register," I have thought it best to await an expression of views from as many sections as possible of the teaching profession. I was informed almost immediately after the passing of the Act that a considerable number of influential bodies in the teaching profession were going to hold a series of conferences with a view to arriving, so far as possible, at some agreed lines upon which such a council might in their view advantageously be formed. I have only in the last day or two received information as to the points of agreement reached at these conferences, and I am considering this information, with a view possibly to seeing some of the representatives of the bodies who have been meeting, and also to discovering whether the proposals appear to command the support of "the teaching profession" of which the new Registration Council is to be "representative" under Section 16 of the Act.

*SIR PHILIP MAGNUS (London University)

What is it proposed to do with the balance of money amounting to about £2,800 of the old Registration Council?

MR. McKENNA

It would be premature at present to decide as to the disposal of that fund.

SIR PHILIP MAGNUS

Is it intended to take over the staff of the old Registration Council; and, if not, will they be compensated for dismissal?

MR. McKENNA

The staff of the new Registration Council is not in the hands of the Board, and I can say nothing on the matter.

SIR PHILIP MAGNUS

But the money is in the hands of the Board, I understand?

MR. McKENNA

Yes, but it would be premature to say what is to be done with it.