Teachers

HC Deb 08 June 1944 vol 400 cc1502-3

40. Mr. Colegate

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he accepts the recommendation of the McNair Committee with regard to arrangements for the secondment of teachers throughout the education service; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. The principle of this recommendation is one with which I am in full agreement, and I propose, at the appropriate time, to call into consultation representatives of the various interests concerned.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the right hon. Gentleman in favour of seconded teachers receiving equal pay for equal work?

Mr. Butler

I have been caught on that before, and I do not propose to be caught now.

41. Mr. Edmund Harvey

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the difficulty experienced by qualified teachers and lecturers over 40 years of age in obtaining appointments; and whether he is taking steps, in view of the shortage of teachers, to facilitate the appointment of such teachers and the re-entry into teaching of suitably qualified persons whose teaching careers have been interrupted.

Mr. Butler

My information is that, so far from qualified teachers experiencing any difficulty in obtaining employment, local education authorities are in many cases unable to fill vacancies in their teaching establishments for lack of qualified applicants. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any cases he has in mind, I will gladly look into them.

42. Mr. Harvey

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will take steps to allow experienced graduates teaching in secondary schools who have a good teaching record to transfer to posts in elementary schools without being treated as uncertificated teachers.

Mr. Butler

The whole question of the recognition of teachers will require review in the light of the reconstruction of education contemplated in the Education Bill and particularly the proposed operation as from 1st April, 1945, of Part II of the Bill, under which public elementary schools as such will cease to exist. In the meantime I am aware of no graduate teachers in secondary schools who are in fact desirous of a transfer to elementary schools and who are being deterred by present conditions of recognition.

Mr. Harvey

Would it not be desirable, in the meantime, to encourage the transfer of teachers by removing the existing obstacles?

Mr. Butler

I am always ready to consider any such proposal. Perhaps my hon. Friend will have a word with me about it.