HC Deb 05 July 1917 vol 95 cc1286-7
61. Sir JOHN SPEAR

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that dissatisfaction is felt by uncertificated teachers in elementary schools at the omission to appoint a member of the National Union of Uncertificated Teachers on. the Departmental Committee recently appointed to determine the construction of the scales of salaries for teachers in these schools; and, having regard to the number of uncertificated teachers, will he add a representative of such teachers to the Committee to safeguard their interests?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Lewis)

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The President of the Board of Education has received representations from the National Union of Uncertificated Teachers on this subject, but he is not prepared to make any further appointments to the Committee He is satisfied that any representations made to the Committee by or on behalf of the uncertificated teachers will receive careful and impartial consideration.

Mr. PETO

Is the right hon. Gentleman's Department prepared to leave quite unrepresented on this Committee 57,000 of the worst paid teachers in the elementary schools?

Mr. LEWIS

That has been fully considered, and any representations that may be made on the part of these teachers to the Committee will, as I have already said, be carefully considered.

Sir P. MAGNUS

Will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions to this Departmental Committee carefully to consider the claims of these uncertificated teachers?

Mr. LEWIS

I have not the least doubt but that will be done.

Mr. WHITE HO USE

Are not certain members of this Committee put down as representing certain classes of teachers? Why, therefore, should the same representation be denied to the teachers referred to in the question?

Mr. LEWIS

Members of the Committee are not necessarily there in a representative capacity.

Mr. CHANCELLOR

Does the hon. Gentleman expect these tens of thousands of underpaid teachers willingly to accept a decision given by a Committee on which they are unrepresented?

Mr. LEWIS

I shall convey all these representations to my right hon. Friend.