§ 42. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister for Education whether he has any statement to make as to the position of the claim by teachers in Kingston, Surbiton and district for London Area Allowance, in view of the dissolution of the Local Government Boundary Commission.
§ Mr. TomlinsonAs I informed the hon. Member in reply to his previous Question on 7th April last, the matter is one for the Burnham Committee to consider in the first instance, and any representations by the teachers should be made through their Association to the Teachers' Panel of that Committee.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the time he made his previous statement, on 29th November, 1948, that this matter would be considered when the Local Government Boundary Commission reported, that seemed like a reasonable answer? In view of the change in Government policy with respect to the Boundary Commission will he not stir up the sleeping beauties of the Burnham Committee?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI do not know who the sleeping beauties of the Burnham Committe are, so I cannot very well stir them up, but I must point out that I never suggested that when the Commission reported this matter would be considered. I said that when their Report was implemented it would be considered, which was the decision of the Burnham Committee following representations made by Lord Soulbury.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that that decision must, in the nature of things, be out of date now in view of the Government's decision about the Boundary Commission? Is he prepared to take no action?
§ Mr. TomlinsonThat is all the more reason why those who submitted it to the Committee should re-submit it.