§ 1. Mr. Nobleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the factors affecting the promotion of school teachers in certain local authority areas in Scotland; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Bruce Millan)My right hon. Friend is seeking comments from education authorities on recent representations by the Educational Institute of Scotland to the effect that very few authorities were following the recommendations about promotion procedure contained in the Report "Relations between Education Authorities and Teachers" published in 1962.
§ Mr. NobleWill the Under-Secretary make clear to the House and to local authorities that the aspect of the Report which said that in certain local authorities promotion went only to people with the correct political background is against the policy which we would all wish for education in Scotland?
§ Mr. MillanI am not sure that the Report said that, but it laid down that there should be certain promotion procedures. The complaint is that the procedures are not always carried out and, as I say, we are already in touch with the education authorities about this.