30. Sir R. Younģasked the Minister of Education whether newly-qualified teachers, with reference to the scale of salaries, are those who have 20 plus years of experience; whether that means they are in the same position as new inexperienced persons entering the teaching profession; and whether he will reconsider the position created by the suggested one increment above the basic scale for every three years' service over 20 years, so that the period of service should entitle such teachers between 55 and 60 years of age to the maximum of the scale of pensions.
§ The Minister of Education (Mr. Butler)As indicated in paragraph 10 of Circular 30, uncertificated teachers who, at any time between 1st April, 1945, and 31st March, 1950, have completed not less than twenty years' service as uncertificated teachers may be regarded as qualified teachers. I do not think a comparison can properly be made between these teachers and others who have completed a course of training before entering the teaching profession and are thereby eligible to enter at the minimum of the scale for qualified teachers. As the hon. Member realises, some allowance is made for past service in excess of twenty years in the starting pay of uncertificated teachers, who, under the new arrangements, will proceed on the basic scale for qualified teachers, and I see no reason to question the recommendations of the Burnham Committee in this respect.
Sir R. YounģDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that 20 years is a very long period to serve under present conditions in this respect; and can he say whether any of these uncertificated teachers will ever reach the maximum?
§ Mr. ButlerI think that only a few months ago the uncertificated teacher would have been very surprised if he had been able to get as far as this. I believe that there is a sense of gratitude among uncertificated teachers for the course of action I have adopted, and I am afraid that I cannot go any further.