§ 23. Mr. Peter Robertsasked the Minister of Education whether he will now arrange that reasonable representation be afforded to the National Association of Schoolmasters upon the Burnham Committee.
§ Mr. TomlinsonMy Department has from time to time received representations from several associations of teachers, of which the National Association of Schoolmasters is one, claiming that they should be represented on the Burnham Committee. All these representations have been very carefully considered, and in some cases the matter has been discussed at personal interviews. I consider that the present composition of the teachers' panels on the Burnham Committee is already wide enough to ensure that the general views of teachers are represented, and I do not think that the addition of individuals from these minority associations would facilitate negotiations. Having regard particularly to the definition of the powers under Section 89 of the Education Act, 1944, I am not prepared to insist on the inclusion of representatives of this Association.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes the Minister not consider that it might assist the Burnham Committee to have at least one representative of 12,000 teachers who are not otherwise represented?
§ Mr. TomlinsonIt is not a question of one representative. If one of these minority organisations is included, then immediately a claim is set up by the others.