§ 25. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he told colleges of education that they could begin payment on 1st February of increases agreed last year for non-teaching staff.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mr. Goronwy Roberts)No such indication was given to the voluntary colleges generally, but a few colleges were informed in error, in response to their inquiries, that salary increases if paid from 1st February would be eligible for grant from the Department. As soon as the mistake was discovered the colleges concerned were informed.
§ Mr. JenkinsIs it not a very unsatisfactory situation to inform both the employer and employee that they have the right to make and receive a payment on a certain date and subsequently to withdraw that permission so that everyone concerned is disappointed and the whole administration is upset? If the Department has made a mistake, should it not stand by it and allow the colleges to go ahead and make the payments, which are sorely needed and long overdue?
§ Mr. RobertsI regret sincerely that this was said to a number of colleges. It is true that, at an earlier stage, before the implications of this rather complicated matter were fully understood, my Department advised a few colleges that the increases could be paid. I repeat that 1 regret that they were so informed. The advice was corrected as soon as the mistake was realised.