45. Miss Wardasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the threatened breakdown in public services in Durham County, he will make a statement on the action which the Government proposes to take to prevent this.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)My right hon. Friend the Minister of Education has already asked for the comments, at the earliest possible moment, of the Durham local education authority upon a formal complaint lodged by the National Union of Teachers under Section 68 of the Education Act, 1944. My right hon. Friend is awaiting their reply. She will not hesitate, if necessary, to use the powers of direction to the local education authority conferred upon her by the Act.
Miss WardCan my right hon. Friend say how long a time it is proposed should elapse while the answer is being awaited, and when we might hope to know what is to be the final result?
§ The Prime MinisterI think I have given a rather important answer on this matter, and I certainly do not think we should be pressed at this moment upon a detail like the actual time that should be allowed.
§ Mr. ShinwellMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will exercise great care before taking any repressive action in this matter? White not expressing any opinion on the merits of the general situation in this particular regard, the council would appear to be justified because of an agreement reached a considerable time ago with the organisations concerned, and it would, perhaps, be better to be a little cautious before taking action.
§ The Prime MinisterIn the main, we are only proceeding on the same lines as were adopted by the late Government. A somewhat new version of the dispute has come up, but, nevertheless, the legal powers at the disposal of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education, and the duties devolving upon her are unchanged.
§ Mr. ShinwellYes, but is it not precisely because this is a quite new version 664 of the situation that care should be exercised before taking any grave action? Is it not desirable to use every possible means of effecting a compromise rather than to precipitate a situation which may cause great damage to everybody concerned?
§ Mr. MurrayWhile agreeing with the Prime Minister that this is a very serious matter, would it not be better to ask for a deputation to come down and talk this matter out rather than fight it out?
§ The Prime MinisterThis is supposed to be a reasonable country, and if people want to come on deputations, and so on, to parley with Ministers and to discuss matters, that is not a matter which should be turned down at all. But, on the other hand, there are certain principles which have to be upheld.
Miss WardCan my right hon. Friend give us any information about the health services and what line is to be pursued in that respect?
§ The Prime MinisterThere are various powers possessed in different degrees by the Ministries who may be concerned, but the Minister of Education has most clear and definite powers, and uses them.
§ Mr. G. ThomasIs the Prime Minister satisfied that it will be possible to prevent a breakdown in the education services of the County of Durham in view of the time factor involved?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that is a matter which ought to be considered by all parties.
§ Mr. ChetwyndIs it not a fact that the dispute at present is centred on one question, that of extended sick pay, and would the right hon. Gentleman take care that no action of the Government embitters this situation, and that the interests of the children should prevail at all time?
§ The Prime MinisterIt happens that the sick pay is the only matter on which, in view of the previous agreement, it was open to the Durham County Council to act, but they are raising exactly the same issues on the only point left open to them after, as I understand it, the agreement made with the late Government.