HC Deb 18 April 1961 vol 638 cc943-6
5. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet considered the letter, dated 7th April, 1961, from Mr. Alexander Stewart, written on behalf of the Educational Institute of Scotland and of 3,500 school teachers and sent to him by the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North, intimating that in certain circumstances those school teachers will institute a one-week strike; and what action he will take to improve the conditions of Scottish school teachers.

7. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the latest position regarding the impending strike of Scottish teachers.

Mr. Maclay

The Glasgow teachers have threatened to strike unless, by 1st May, any suggestion of introducing non-graduate men teachers is abandoned and an increase in salaries acceptable to the profession has been negotiated.

I have already given an assurance that I will, if possible before the end of May, communicate to all the educational bodies concerned, for further discussion with them, any major proposals that may result from the consultations now going on. It would be wrong, however, to expect me to abandon discussion of any question of importance to the future of Scottish education before there has been time for a full expression of views and for adequate consideration.

Recommendations for new salary scales have reached me from the National Joint Council. They include a uniform percentage increase for all grades, which does not seem to be the best way of meeting the real needs of the situation. They also represent an increase of 18 per cent. on the cost of salaries fixed fifteen months ago and this is beyond what the Government can accept. However, I fully recognise that improved salaries are desirable, and I have informed the Council that, while I cannot give effect to the proposals submitted, I intend as soon as possible to put suggestions before them for their views.

I am sure that it will be realised that on neither of these questions would a precipitate decision be proper and I profoundly hope that the Glasgow teachers will not persist in strike action and thus prejudge two issues both of which require careful and objective consideration in the interests of Scottish education.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Secretary of State realise that this has been delayed far too long, that the teachers of Scotland have done noble work to enable Britain to compete with her international rivals in this scientific age, and that he is frustrating Scotland and the children of Scotland from taking their proper part in competition with their foreign rivals? Will he rectify this situation at once?

Mr. Maclay

I have made it clear that I am moving as fast as I possibly can on matters of great importance to the future of the whole of Scottish education, and I have the utmost desire, as I am sure the hon. and learned Gentleman has, that we should get the best possible working conditions, consistent with what is practicable, for the teaching profession.

Mr. Thomson

Is the Secretary of State aware that his reply on the salaries aspect of this question will be considered disastrous, and that he ought to have shown his spirit of good will and conciliation by accepting the recommendations of the National Joint Council without qualification and with the same speed as was shown by the Government in the case of the recommendations about police pay?

Mr. Maclay

I have noted what the hon. Member has said. If he will study my Answer, he will see that we are working as fast as we can on a very difficult and complex problem. I want to make it absolutely clear that the Government have been by no means unsympathetic on the question of teachers' salaries. In the last five years there have been four increases, with the result that average earnings have risen by practically half—49 per cent.—since the beginning of 1956. We are approaching this problem in the same spirit as we approached past ones.

Mr. MacArthur

Can my right hon. Friend say when he received the recommendations of the National Joint Council? Is he aware of the widespread feeling which there is in Scotland that the threat of a strike in this noble profession is doing great harm to the honour in which the teachers are held, and is acting as a remarkably bad example to the children under their care?

Hon. Members

Is it?

Mr. Maclay

In answer to the first part of that supplementary question, I received the recommendations, I think, on Monday a week ago. I can give my hon. Friend the exact date, but I have not got it before me. On the second part of his supplementary question, I do not want to make any comments on the threatened strike except to say that I profoundly hope that it will not take place.

Mr. T. Fraser

Is the Secretary of State aware that the matter which is of the greatest concern to teachers in Scotland is the suggestion that non-graduate males may be recruited for the teaching of general subjects? Why on earth is he unable to give an emphatic reply to the teachers that he has no intention of introducing this alteration? Has he seriously considered opening the door to non-graduate teachers in Scotland?

Mr. Maclay

I tried to make it clear in my original reply and in a previous debate in the House that this is a matter which requires the most careful consideration. There are a large number of bodies involved in consultations on it, and I do not feel that I should agree to stop all discussions until we know what are the views of all concerned.