§ 59. Mr. HARRISasked the President of the Board of Education whether the arbitration award by Viscount Burnham on the scales of salaries for teachers in public elementary schools included a provision that existing teachers should not receive a less rate of salary as from 1st April, 1925, than they were receiving on the 31st March, 1925; whether the Board are aware that teachers absent from school on account of ill-health for periods which involve a loss of pay are liable to have their salaries reassessed and reduced; whether such reassessment of salaries is approved by the Board; and whether, if the complaints of teachers with regard to this matter are substantiated, the Board will make representations to the arbitrator on this subject?
§ Lord E. PERCYThe interpretation of the award is a matter which rests with the Burnham Committees. The particular decision referred to by the hon. Member is based on the principle that teachers with the Same qualifications and service should receive the same salaries, and I see no ground for suggesting its reconsideration.
§ Mr. HARRISAre we to understand that the Burnham Committee is sitting permanently to interpret its decisions, or does the Board of Education take over their functions?
§ Lord E. PERCYNo. It is a Committee of the Burnham Committee which site, and as far as I know is ready to go on sitting in connection with the award.
§ Mr. HARRISDoes this Committee sit in connection with the Board of Education or does it interpret the award independently?
§ Lord E. PERCYIt is in touch with the Board of Education, but the Burnham arrangement is one between the local authorities and the teachers, and is naturally interpreted by a Committee representing these two parties.