39. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what approach he has received from the Scottish Schoolmasters' Association to meet representatives of that Association; and what was his reply.
§ Mrs. Judith HartThe request was first made orally at a meeting with officers of the Scottish Education Department on 2nd November and was renewed in letters subsequently sent to my right hon. Friend by the Association. He has informed the Association that he does not consider that the meeting requested would serve any useful purpose.
Mr. TaylorWould the hon. Lady not agree that, in view of the acute shortage of teachers in certain parts of Scotland and the need to maintain the good will of all teachers' organisations, the decision of her right hon. Friend to refuse to meet representatives of the association was extremely regrettable? Would she further give an assurance that she does not accept the statement in this week's Tribune by one of her hon. Friends that this organisation is
a small and reactionary Rumpand that she recognises the association as a representative teachers' organisation?
§ Mrs. HartI think the hon. Member will know from the correspondence that has been published of the many difficulties in this situation. That correspondence is still continuing. I can only say that the Scottish Joint Council has to decide how far its proceedings will be published. Against this background to the situation there can be no useful purpose in any meeting being held at the moment.