HC Deb 05 December 1946 vol 431 cc498-500
72. Mr. R. A. Butler

asked the Minister of Education whether she has in mind any revised arrangements for the administration of the training of teachers and for their allocation, when trained, to different authorities.

Miss Wilkinson

It is my intention to set up a central council for teachers as soon as circumstances permit. It will not, however, be practicable to settle its constitution and functions until the area organisation contemplated by the McNair Report is in being, and consideration of certain other matters, as, for example, the future of the Royal Society of Teachers, is further advanced. In the meantime, there are important questions relating to the supply, recruitment and distribution of teachers which call for very early consideration. I am accordingly proposing to assemble as soon as possible an interim committee under the chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, composed of persons drawn from the principal associations of local education authorities, teachers and training institutions.

Mr. Butler

Is the right hon. Lady aware that I raised this question on the Estimates, and that I confidently expected some steps would be taken? Is she aware that this apparent delay in taking steps, even to set up an interim committee under the Parliamentary Secretary, will be very disappointing to the world of education, which is expecting some drive in the conduct of its affairs?

Miss Wilkinson

I think that in fairness the right hon. Gentleman, who has had some experience in this matter, will know that it really has not been possible to proceed with the organisation under the McNair Report and set up a committee, until negotiations have taken place with the universities. These negotiations have taken longer than they or we expected. The universities have, of course, been overburdened with the very difficult situation they have had to meet with the return of troops and so on.

Mr. Butler

Is the right hon. Lady aware that these negotiations were started with the universities a long time ago when I was Minister and that the tempo of the discussions with the universities is far too slow if we are to implement all the Education Act? Is she also aware that there are various problems, such as the allocation of teachers to authorities and the choosing of authorities, which want a great deal of sorting out at the present time, and that a committee is wanted for that matter alone?

Miss Wilkinson

I am sure the right hon. Gentleman will agree that in the less unfortunate time when he was at the Ministry of Education, the universities with which he had to deal were not overwhelmed, as they have been during the time following demobilisation. It has, therefore, not been possible, nor would it have been fair, to ask the universities to set aside that work in order to get on with this job.

Mrs. Manning

Have not some universities already taken steps on their own to get on with the recommendations of the McNair Report? Have not Bristol and London done something?

Miss Wilkinson

Certain universities have been able to do it, of course, but others have not been able to do it. These negotiations are national. The whole of the McNair Report will have to be dealt with but as a first step this committee will deal with the urgent problems which have been raised.