HC Deb 23 February 1967 vol 741 cc1941-2
22. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give an assurance that it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to provide substantial increases in the pay and status of teachers; and when he expects to implement this policy.

30. Mr. Hornby

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the management panel of the Burnham Committee intends to resume negotiations on the claim for higher salaries submitted by the teachers' panel.

Mr. Crosland

Any increase in teachers' pay is in the first instance a matter for the appropriate Burnham Committee. The management panel of the Burnham Primary and Secondary Committee has informed the teachers' panel that it cannot make an offer until the Government have made known their policy on pay increases after the end of the period of severe restraint. I cannot yet say when this will be.

Mr. Lewis

As both the Prime Minister and several other Ministers at the time of the last election gave a pledge that this would happen, while making no pledge about severe wage restraint, can my right hon. Friend say whether they will honour their pledge on increased wages rather than impose a severe restraint on wages which never appeared in their election programme?

Mr. Crosland

That question seems to go rather beyond matters for which I am personally responsible, but I bear in mind my hon. Friend's references and I shall continue to do so while we are considering this problem.

Mr. Hornby

As it is less than two years since the right hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends secured the approval of the House for measures relating to the negotiating procedure for teachers' pay, would it not be much better to let this negotiating procedure go ahead and see where we get to like that?

Mr. Crosland

There is nothing in what is now happening in any way inconsistent with any provisions of the Remuneration of Teachers Act to which the hon. Gentleman refers. The negotiations can and will go ahead as soon as the Government's policy for the period after severe restraint has been announced.

Mr. Newens

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable disgruntlement among teachers at the suspension of negotiations, and will he, therefore, have urgent consultation with his right hon. Friend and with all the appropriate authorities in order to make sure that negotiations can go ahead forthwith, whatever decisions may be taken about their result at a later stage?

Mr. Crosland

I am as anxious as my hon. Friend to get the negotiations started as soon as possible, but we cannot begin negotiation except within the framework of general Government policy covering the period after the period of severe restraint.

Sir J. Eden

Will the right hon. Gentleman make clear that the negotiating procedure can carry on as before without let or hindrance from him, or, if not, will he explain by what power the Government seek to prevent this happening?

Mr. Crosland

There is no question of the Government using any legal power to prevent it happening. I explained how the position stands in my answer to the original Question. I shall shortly be meeting representatives of all the associations on the Burnham Committee in order to explain the position to them.