HC Deb 04 February 1926 vol 191 cc299-300
32. Major KINDERSLEY

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed at the annual conference of the Teachers' Labour League on 29th December last, affiliating the league to a Communist organisation known as the Education Workers International; and whether he has taken, or proposes to take, any steps to prevent members of the Teachers' Labour League being employed as teachers in the public elementary or secondary schools?

Lord E. PERCY

As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the appointment of teachers in public elementary and secondary schools does not rest with me. So far as I am concerned I regard teachers as being free to join any lawful association so long as their membership does not interfere with the proper discharge of their duties; just as I regard them as being free to abstain from joining any association, if they so desire.

Major KINDERSLEY

Does not the Noble Lord think that, as Communists have been expelled from the Labour party, they are not fit and proper persons to educate the children of this country?

Mr. SPEAKER

We do not deal on the Floor of the House with these domestic matters.