§ 29. Mr. Dryden Brookasked the Minister of Education if he will make a statement as to the payment of salaries to teachers called-up for training with the reserve and auxiliary Forces for the period of their absence.
§ Mr. HardmanThe Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests) Bill, which is at present before the House, deals with the salary and superannuation position of teachers who are called-up for three months, or longer, under the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Training) Act, 1951.
The pay and leave arrangements for teachers who are called-up for 15 days' training as Class Z or Class G reservists are within the discretion of employing authorities. There is no reason, so far as I am concerned why local education authorities should not allow their teachers special leave with pay for either the whole, or part, of the 15 days, whether it falls in term time or holiday time, and any expenditure so incurred would be recognised for Exchequer grant.
§ Mr. G. ThomasIs my hon. Friend communicating with local education authorities along those lines?
§ Mr. HardmanNo general guidance has been issued to local education authorities, but some authorities have applied to my right hon. Friend for advice, and the advice that they have received is along the lines which I have indicated.
§ Brigadier Prior-PalmerWill the Minister tell local authorities about the very welcome statement that he has just made?
§ Mr. HardmanI think that the publicity given to the answer will certainly get to them.
§ Mr. MorleyIs the position of teachers in direct-grant schools safeguarded?
§ Mr. HardmanI should like to look into that point.