§ 7. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that teachers' organisations have recently been advocating strike action to draw attention to their grievances; and what steps he proposes to take in the immediate future to allay their fears and redress their grievances.
§ Mr. J. StuartI am aware from Press reports that the Educational Institute of Scotland held a plebiscite to ascertain whether their members would support strike action and that a large majority of those who voted were against any such action. As the Institute know, I am prepared to meet their representatives to discuss any subjects which they may wish to raise.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes the Minister not agree that the strike weapon is a perfectly legitimate one for the men to threaten to use, and can he recall any action in the past when they have been provoked to this extent? Would he not agree that their grievances must be quite considerable when they send out a plebiscite to all their members, even though the majority of them may be strongly opposed to using this weapon?
§ Mr. StuartI am aware of these facts, but, as I say, I am also prepared to meet the Institute if they wish to discuss any of the points.
§ 9. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he intends to have with representatives of the Educational Institute of Scotland between now and the Second Reading of the Teachers' Superannuation Bill in order to keep informed of their views on the subject.
§ Mr. J. StuartI have no reason to suppose that the views of the Institute on the Bill are changing, but, as they were told last March, I am prepared to meet them if there are any points which they desire to discuss with me.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the Minister aware that we are all very glad to know that he realises that the teachers' views on this Bill have not changed? What they are interested in is whether his views have changed.
§ Mr. StuartMy views are as stated on 20th May by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House.