HC Deb 02 December 1943 vol 395 cc492-3
17. Mr. W. Brown

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the present state of discussions between the National Union of Teachers and the Burnham Committee on the question of teachers' salaries?

Mr. Butler

I understand that the teachers' panel of the Burnham Elementary Committee, the members of which are appointed by the National Union of Teachers, have given notice to terminate as from 1st April, 1944, the salary scales contained in the Committee's current Report of 1938. I have not been informed of the stage at present reached in the discussions between the two sides of the Committee.

Mr. Brown

In view of the fact that the present agreement is due to run out shortly, is it not apparent that the discussions should be conducted sufficiently rapidly to ensure that we shall not find ourselves without a new agreement, at the end of the present agreement?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir, I am aware of all those difficulties, but I think that I had better receive the Report to which I referred at the end of my statement.

Mr. Brown

Is the Minister not aware that if he waits until then he will be waiting until the present agreement has expired?

Mr. Butler

We usually move in very good time at the Board of Education, and my hon. Friend had better rely on our usual perspicacity.