HC Deb 22 March 1945 vol 409 cc977-8
33. Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Education if he has now accepted the Burnham award on teachers' salaries.

37. Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

asked the Minister of Education whether he is in a position to state his decision on the Burnham scales recently submitted to him.

Mr. Butler

I have informed the acting chairman of the Burnham Committee that I have approved the scales of remuneration for teachers submitted to me by them.

Mr. Lipson

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his satisfactory answer, may I ask him whether the terms of the award are substantially the same as those which have appeared in the Press; and from what date the new scales will operate?

Mr. Butler

The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes," Sir, and the answer to the second part is "1st April."

Mr. Lindsay

While recognising that my right hon. Friend could do no other than accept the scales, may I ask that he will bear in mind that the grievances of secondary school masters remain, and will do his best to use those powers specially entrusted to him to see that a full and generous measure is given in cases where scaling down is found to exist?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. As I indicated in my speech in the Rouse on 20th February, I propose during the three years' currency of the scales to keep under review their effect on recruitment of teachers and otherwise and, in the light of the results of that review, take appropriate action.

Mr. Gallacher

Would the Minister be good enough to pass these scales over to the Secretary of State for Scotland so that he can get them applied to the teaching profession in Scotland?

Miss Rathbone

In those three years, will there be any opportunity for redressing any of the more serious injustices and grievances that may emerge?

Mr. Butler

Perhaps the hon. Lady did not read the speech to which I have referred. If she will study it, I think she will see that I dealt with this matter at great length, and that I suggested a variety of methods by which we can watch the operation of these scales and see what we can do about it, if necessary.

Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the speech to which he referred has not given satisfaction at all to secondary school teachers?