§ 46. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the Minister of Education at Leamington on Saturday, 10th December, regarding the teaching profession, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. R. A. Butler)I have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the reply given last Thursday to the hon. Members for Newcastle-on-Tyne, Central (Mr. Short) and South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes).
§ Mr. ThomasIs the Chancellor aware that since then the Minister's speech has been made available to us? Is he further aware that it is now quite clear that the indiscretions of the Minister of Education were not a slip of the tongue but were quite deliberate? Will he now give some assurance that it is not the intention of the Government to push teachers around in the manner in which the Minister tried to do?
§ Mr. ButlerI am aware that the Minister's speech has been made available. For example, it is in the latest issue of Education, of Friday, 16th December. I am also aware that it is certainly not the Government's desire or wish to push teachers around in the terms employed by the hon. Member. It is their wish to enhance the status of education and the teaching profession, as outlined in the Minister's speech.