HC Deb 11 July 1946 vol 425 cc560-1
29. Mr. George Thomas

asked the Minister of Education how many Welsh education authorities are awaiting a decision by her Department on their schemes for the payments for posts of special responsibility under the last Burnham Agreement.

Miss Wilkinson

The general position of Welsh local education authorities in this matter does not differ substantially from that of other local education authorities. As matters now stand, four local education authorities have submitted schemes for the payment of allowances to teachers in primary and secondary schools upon which a decision cannot immediately be given. In the case of three other authorities, further details or amended proposals are awaited. Proposals for the payment of allowances to teachers in technical colleges, etc., are awaiting decision in the case of one authority.

Mr. Thomas

Is the right hon. Lady aware that this matter has been hanging fire for a long time, and that considerable inconvenience is being caused to many of the teachers concerned, because the salary to which they believed they are entitled is held up for a decision?

Miss Wilkinson

Not altogether; one of the difficulties is the slowness of the local education authorities in asking for a decision. However, we are dealing with it in a different way now, and I have sent out a circular. In all except the most awkward cases it should form a general basis for these cases.