HC Deb 15 December 1966 vol 738 cc639-40
17. Mr. Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will take the necessary steps to change that section of the constitution of the Welsh Joint Education Committee which gives to the Joint Committee the power to determine the nature and distribution of the teachers' representatives, since one of the largest teachers' associations in the Principality is denied membership.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

No, Sir. It is for the Welsh Joint Education Committee to approach my right hon. Friend if it thinks that changes in its constitution have become desirable. I understand that it has this whole question of teacher representation on the Joint Committee under review.

Mr. Anderson

Does not my hon. Friend realise that this matter has been under study for a considerable time and that the N.A.S. has been extremely patient during this period? Does he not recognise that so long as this body, which represents more than 10 per cent. of the teacher population of Wales, is excluded from the W.J.E.C., the W.J.E.C. cannot be representative in the terms of its constitution?

Mr. Roberts

This is essentially a matter for the Joint Committee and its constituent authorities. My right hon. Friend thinks that it is best to leave it to the Joint Committee to decide this issue in the light of all the circumstances—to decide whether and, if so when, to approach him for a varying Order.