HC Deb 18 June 1931 vol 253 cc1927-8
29. Sir GEORGE PENNY

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state his reasons for refusing the National Association of Schoolmasters representation on the teachers' panel; and whether he can see his way to alter the constitution of the panel so as to include representatives of the National Association of Schoolmasters?

30. Commander SOUTHBY

asked the President of the Board of Education how many representatives of the National Association of Schoolmasters there are upon the teachers' panel of the Standing Joint Committee on the salaries of teachers in elementary schools?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Lees-Smith)

I do not propose to give the National Association of Schoolmasters representation on the Standing Joint Committee on Salaries of Teachers in Elementary Schools. The National Union of Teachers represents the overwhelming majority of such teachers. The National Association of Schoolmasters is one of a number of minority associations, and in my view it would not add to the usefulness of the proceedings of the Committee if one or two members were added from each of these comparatively small associations.

Sir G. PENNY

Are not minorities to be protected? In view of the great discontent expressed by these bodies, will the right hon. Gentleman not reconsider his decision? It is far better to have a settlement about which everybody is agreed.

Sir F. HALL

Does not this association represent about 7,500 of these teachers, and is it not an important one?

Mr. LEES-SMITH

In the case of a body which is appointed to give me advice, it is far better that teachers should be represented by the association which represents the vast majority of the teachers.

Sir G. PENNY

But seeing that this organisation is deeply interested and will be affected, surely their representatives ought to be there to give some explanation of their case to the Minister?

Mr. LEES-SMITH

I do not think that is necessary. The other body is far more representative.

Sir GEORGE HAMILTON

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this is an association of schoolmasters without any schoolmistresses and wishes to represent the views of men teachers?