HC Deb 08 March 1956 vol 549 cc2287-8
12. Dr. King

asked the Minister of Education whether he will introduce amending regulations or, if necessary, legislation, to enable teachers living in excepted districts to have the civic right of seeking election to the local council.

Sir D. Eccles

No, Sir. A teacher—or other paid officer—should not fill the dual rôle of employer and employee, as would be the case if he became a member of the local authority responsible for his appointment.

Dr. King

Is the Minister aware that the tendency of post-war law has been to encourage teachers and other State and local government servants to play their full part in civic life? Is he also aware that the recent case has revealed an anomaly and is depriving a number of teachers in particular areas from exercising full civic rights which many members of the teaching profession exercise in other parts of the country?

Sir D. Eccles

The recent decision of the court in the Lowestoft case does not add any law or impose any restriction on teachers that did not previously exist. If a teacher wishes to become a member of a local authority in an area in which he is not himself serving, of course he can do so. The only difficulty is where he would become his own employer.

Dr. King

In this case, is it not a fact that the man is merely technically employed by the local authority of which he sought to become a member, and that his salary is paid by the county council, as in other parts of the country?

Mr. M. Stewart

If a teacher in such a district cannot stand for election to the local council on the ground that the local council is his employer, would he be eligible to stand as a candidate for the county council?

Sir D. Eccles

I shall have to look into that.