HC Deb 26 May 1936 vol 312 cc1981-3

11.1 p.m.

Major Sir JOHN BIRCHALL

I beg to move in page 10, line 42, to leave out "this Section," and to insert "the last preceding Sub-section."

This is merely a drafting Amendment.

Lieut. Commander AGNEW

I beg to second the Amendment.

11.2 p.m.

Mr. STANLEY

I think it would be convenient if we discussed this and the next Amendment on the Paper together, because, although this is a drafting Amendment, it is only made necessary by the acceptance of the other. I think I should probably explain to the House what the point of both Amendments is. It is to meet a point which was raised in Committee. An hon. Member moved an Amendment on behalf of the Churches to make certain that where a grant was repaid, the Churches resumed exactly the same position in regard to the appointment of teachers and other matters as before the grant was made. The only exception, as the Bill stood, to the resumption of that position was the power of the managers under certain circumstances to dismiss a teacher who had been a non-reserved teacher, and when that was being discussed in Committee I said that, although I could not agree to this power being given to the managers, because it was not fair to the individual under the terms of service, I would be prepared to give it if an alternative of compensation were inserted. The object of the two Amendments is to give that alternative compensation.

As far as the details are concerned, hon. Members will see that it will be the duty of the Board of Education to be satisfied that this compensation is adequate, and the way that they will be satisfied as to its adequacy will be that they will satisfy themselves that it is not less favourable than the standard of compensation laid down which the local authority has to pay to a teacher under similar circumstances. I, confess I do not like the Board of Education having to assume the responsibility of saying whether or not a particular compensation is fair, but I was anxious to get a settlement of this, and I am prepared to take the responsibility, which is all I have, of seeing that the compensation offered under this Amendment is as good as the compensation payable by the local authority on the standard laid down. In these circumstances. I think the position of the teacher is fully safeguarded, and I am prepared to accept the Amendments.

Mr. COVE

I think we, too, can agree to these Amendments.

Amendment agreed to.

11.4 p.m.

Sir J. BIRCHALL

I beg to move, in page 11, line 12, at the end, to insert: unless the managers allow him compensation for the loss of his office upon such terms and with such security as may be agreed or as may, in default of agreement be approved by the Board of Education, but so that the Board shall not approve terms which in their opinion are less favourable to the teacher than they would have been if determined under sub-section (1) of this section. After what my right hon. Friend has said, it is not necessary for me to add any words in commending this Amendment to the House.

Lieut.-Commander AGNEW

I beg to second the Amendment.

Amendment agreed to.