HC Deb 16 November 1961 vol 649 cc655-7
21. Mr. Darling

asked the Minister of Education whether he will take steps to ensure that the wages of school care- to put us at least on a par with other European countries?

Sir D. Eccles

I cannot accept the comparison with France, because any comparison would depend on the kind of courses one is comparing. The present programme is about £100 million in England and Wales and £19.4 million in Scotland, and about one-third has been completed. The programme is a large one, but I am not denying that it may be possible to go faster in certain areas.

Sir J. Duncan

Do my right hon. Friend's figures include extensions to existing technical colleges as well as new ones?

Sir D. Eccles

They include what are known as major projects, some of which are extensions.

Following is the information:

takers and other non-teaching staff employed by local authorities are so increased as to ensure that they will be earning not less than £1,000 a year in 1971.

Sir D. Eccles

School caretakers and other non-teaching staff may be expected to share in the benefits of the economic growth which will result from the financial and economic policies of Conservative Governments over the period to 1971.

Mr. Darling

In view of the fact that the increase that will have to be given to them in order to achieve this figure which the Prime Minister has promised them will be in the region of 5 to 6 per cent. a year, when will they begin to get the increases, and bow does the right hon. Gentleman expect to influence the wages settlement machinery so that they can reach this figure, promised by the Prime Minister, by 1971?

Sir D. Eccles

This is an interesting point. The basic wages for full-time caretakers range from £9 16s. a week in a small rural school to £16 4s. a week in a large school in a city, and that is with no overtime. I think we might get there.