§ 34. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to present the new draft regulations for the training of teachers.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteDraft Regulations arising out of the present comprehensive review of teacher training will not be issued for some considerable time. Discussions with interested bodies are still proceeding, and my right hon. Friend will have to consider all the views expressed before deciding what to include in the draft Regulations.
§ Mr. RankinIn the meantime, will the hon. Gentleman note that one of the chief causes of disturbance among Scottish teachers today is the fear that his right hon. Friend proposes to accept the principle of dilution with regard to teachers' qualifications on entry into the profession? Will he impress upon him that dilution has always reduced the quality of education in any country where it has been employed, and that to give it statutory recognition now will perpetuate an evil which every national interest demands should be abolished?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteI am very glad that the hon. Member has given me the opportunity to emphasise once more that it was not the purpose of the memorandum to make proposals. It asked questions of the teachers' organisations and others, and on the basis of the answers to those questions proposals will be worked out. Surely, this is not an unreasonable way of approaching the problem.
§ Mr. RankinIt depends on the result.
§ Mr. HannanIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that it is precisely because his Department has thought fit to make such a proposal even in present circumstances that the ire and anger of the teachers have been aroused? Will he bear in mind that at the very time when the teaching profession in other countries is trying to raise the standard, it would be deplorable if in Scotland we had to lower ours?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteThe Department did not make proposals; it asked questions.