HC Deb 19 October 1966 vol 734 cc206-7
33. Mr. Buchanan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in view of the policy of the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association not to advise their members to register with the General Teaching Council, and noting the reasons for such advice, what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Ross

None at present. There are many questions about the setting up of the register still to be decided by the Council.

Mr. Buchanan

My right hon. Friend is no doubt aware that this is the only statutory register of a profession which permits unqualified persons to practise that profession. The Scottish Secondary Teachers Association has submitted a reasonable plan for dealing with the problem of the uncertificated teacher. Is not its views worthy of more serious consideration?

Mr. Ross

Its views are always worthy of consideration. We have discussed these two separate matters, the question of the register and that of the employment of uncertificated teachers with the S.S.T.A., but what is wrong here is that we are getting a confusion of the two things, and we should deal with the register when the qualifications in respect of registration are drawn up.