HC Deb 28 June 1967 vol 749 cc490-1
12. Mr. Hugh D. Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities make payments to teachers for travelling expenses.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. William Ross)

I understand that some authorities make such payments but I have no complete information.

Mr. Brown

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that there must be some doubt about who has powers to do what and whether additional cost attracts grant? In view of this lack of information, will he consider circularising all local authorities, particularly those with a known teacher shortage, explaining in detail the powers they have or do not have?

Mr. Ross

There is no doubt about it. This is covered by the Incidental Expenses (Scotland) Regulations, 1959, which empower an education authority to incur reasonable expenditure in meeting the cost of travelling and other expenses necessarily incurred by a teacher with the approval of the authority in the performance or for the purpose of his functions as a teacher. It is up to the education authorities to consider to what extent this should apply. They would be able to defray a teacher's expenses in respect of travel between home and school.