The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of the DUCHESS OF ATHOLL:53. To ask the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the National Union of Teachers, in their annual report for 1935, stated that they had written to all local education authorities urging them to refuse to co-operate with the Home Office in carrying out the precautions against air raids advocated in the official circular of July, 1935; that it was further stated that a number of local authorities adopted this resolution or a similar point of view; and what action does he propose to take to prevent teachers, whose salaries are paid from public funds, making further efforts to prevent local authorities from co-operating with the Government in the interests of national safety?
Duchess of ATHOLLThe organisation mentioned in this question should be the National Union of Women Teachers.
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Oliver Stanley)The Noble Lady has been misinformed as to the facts. The action to which she refers was taken by the National Union of Women Teachers, an organisation which represents only a small minority of the teaching profession, and which has no connection with the National Union of Teachers. While I deplore that an association of teachers should have thought fit to take such ill-advised action on a matter outside their professional competence, the Noble Lady will appreciate that my Department can take official notice of views expressed by teachers only in so far as such views are expressed in school. At the same time the fact that the National Union of Women Teachers have acted in this manner cannot fail to affect the weight which I should attach to any opinions that they may wish to express on other matters.
Duchess of ATHOLLDoes not my right hon. Friend think that in view of the fact that civil servants are under an obligation not to engage in any political activities, the same restriction might well apply to teachers, whose salaries are 879 derived from public funds, in view of the great importance of their responsibilities?
§ Mr. STANLEYThe Noble Lady has raised a rather wider question. I do not think that she would really back up the suggestion that teachers in their private capacities should not indulge in political activities. A large number of teachers in my constituency indulge in political activities on very well-advised courses.
Duchess of ATHOLLIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will draw attention to this question at the earliest opportunity?