HC Deb 18 May 1950 vol 475 cc1370-1
16. Mr. Martin Lindsay

asked the Minister of Education when he expects to receive recommendations from the Burn-ham Committee in regard to a revision of teachers' salaries.

Mr. Tomlinson

The Burnham Committee is to meet at the beginning of June to consider a revision of the current scales for teachers' salaries. The Committee arrange their own meetings and their own procedure and it is, therefore, impossible for me to say when they will submit their recommendations to me.

Earl Winterton

Would it be proper to bring to the attention of the authorities in question the grave anxiety that is felt in all parts of the House about the present scale of teachers' salaries, with a view to accelerating a decision?

Mr. Tomlinson

I do not think it would be proper for me to do that.

Mr. Lindsay

Will the right hon. Gentleman at any rate give an assurance that when the recommendation is received it will be considered as quickly as possible?

Mr. Tomlinson

I do not think there is any reason to suppose that any Minister of Education has ever done otherwise with a Burnham Committee Report.

Mr. R. S. Hudson

Is it not more important that, not only should it be considered but that their recommendation, if any, for increases in salary should be accepted by the right hon. Gentleman and his colleagues?

Mr. Tomlinson

If I may say so, I think that remarks of that kind could be made only if a Minister had rejected them.

Mr. Pannell

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that local government finances also have to be considered in any revisions of salary of this sort?

27. Mr. Haire

asked the Minister of Education how many full-time schoolteachers, male and female respectively, in Buckinghamshire, receive less than £300 per year, between £300 and £400 a year,

— Under £300 a year Between £300 and £400 a year Over £400 a year
Men Women Men Women Men Women
Qualified Teachers … — 155 120 346 527 418
Graduates (included above) … — — 12 39 158 72
Unqualified Teachers … 38 126 — — — —