§ 37. Mr. Gourlayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to the representations in respect of the conditions of service, salaries and recruitment in the teaching profession, submitted to him by the staff of Aberhill Secondary School, Methil; what reply he has sent; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaclayThe reply sent to these representations points out that salary negotiations must be pursued through the National Joint Council and that it is my continuing concern to do everything I can to encourage recruitment to the teaching profession and, so far as lies within my power, to help in securing such improvements as may be required in conditions of service.
§ Mr. GourlayIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that education in Scotland today is facing a staffing crisis, the effects of which will far transcend anything which might have arisen from the shortage of policemen? Does he not realise that the mood of the teachers in Scotland, for which he is largely responsible, is not one to be fooled around with at this time? Will he, therefore, deal with the problem as a real emergency and prove to the Scottish people that our heritage in education is still one of which we can he justly proud?
§ Mr. MaclayThe hon. Member knows that I am fully aware of the anxious position in Scotland with regard to teachers, and I am doing everything I possibly can to meet the situation.
§ Mr. RankinWhat is the right hon. Gentleman doing?
§ 39. Sir M. Galpernasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the reasons for the Government's refusal to accept the Knox Committee's recom- 1130 mendation that full pay and full pension should be granted under certain conditions to teachers returning to service after retirement.
§ Mr. MaclayThe Government were unable to accept this recommendation because it conflicted with the fundamental principle of public service superannuation that a pensioner reemployed in the same service may receive only so much of his pension that, when it is added to his pay, the total of pay and pension will not be greater than his pay at the time of his retirement.
§ Sir M. GalpernIs the Secretary of State aware that a retired teacher can take up employment with a commercial concern without loss of pension, but that if he re-enters the classroom he is penalised by a reduction in the amount of his pension, and that this policy is wholly unjust and unwise?
§ Mr. MaclayThe hon. Member will also be aware that this issue goes far beyond teachers' pensions. It goes very wide indeed.