HC Deb 27 October 1955 vol 545 cc345-7
2. Mr. Dudley Williams

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists amongst members of the National Association of Schoolmasters regarding their lack of representation on the Burnham Committee; and if he will take steps to overcome this.

6. Sir C. Taylor

asked the Minister of Education whether he is now in a position to make a further statement about the claims for representation on the Burnham Committee of the National Association of Schoolmasters.

Sir D. Eccles

I am aware of this dissatisfaction on the part of the National Association of Schoolmasters, but like all my predecessors I am convinced that the Teachers' Panel of the Burnham Committee, as at present constituted, adequately represents the teachers affected by the Committee's recommendation.

Mr. Williams

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask if he is aware that the Incorporated Association of Assistant Masters, which has a membership of 18,500, has two representatives and the Incorporated Association of Assistant Mistresses, with 13,500 members, has two representatives? Why does my right hon. Friend persist in excluding any representation from the National Association of Schoolmasters, which has a total membership of 15,000?

Sir D. Eccles

The reason is that the constitution of the panel follows the pattern of our educational system, the pattern of the schools. If we were to introduce on to that panel representatives of special interests—for instance, of men teachers and then of women teachers—there really would be no end to that and I think we would complicate the whole affair to the detriment of good work.

Mr. Edward Evans

Would not this body be of much greater service to the profession if it rejoined the National Union of Teachers instead of acting as a splinter group without ever having promulgated any effective educational proposals?

Mr. Turner-Samuels

There can be no doubt that this is a responsible group, whether we like it or not. It is a group of teachers. The Minister has referred to what he called a pattern, but the pattern cannot possibly be right unless it includes comprehensive representation, and the refusal to give representation to this responsible body on the Committee is not right. I ask the Minister to reconsider the matter.

Sir C. Taylor

May I ask my right hon. Friend what possible harm there could be in giving representation to this particular body?

Sir D. Eccles

I must tell my hon. Friend that it would not end there. If I once started admitting on to the Burnham Committee bodies which represent special interests, there would be several others who would have at least as good a claim. Then I think the whole negotiating machinery—[Interruption.]