§ 2. Mr. Brewisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the number of teachers who have so far registered with the General Teaching Council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossThe progress of registration is a matter for the General Teaching Council. The hon. Member will appreciate, however, that from 1st April only registered teachers will be eligible for permanent appointments in education authority and grant-aided schools and entitled to payment on a prescribed salary scale. I would expect teachers in such schools to register by the due date since it is in their interests to do so.
§ Mr. BrewisDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that his own attitude to recommendations of the Council on uncertificated teachers has contributed considerably to the reluctance of teachers to register? Will he give an assurance that in future he will give the greatest weight to recommendations of the G.T.C.?
§ Mr. RossThe hon. Gentleman is being a bit unfair. He should appreciate that this is a very difficult question, and the responsibility in respect of employment of teachers and keeping staffs up is the local authorities', not mine. It is a difficult job. The General Teaching Council and all concerned should be congratulated on the progress we have made. The hon. Gentleman may be interested to know that the latest figure for applications is about 23,750, which is getting pretty close to three-fifths of those eligible.
§ Sir M. GalpernAre there any steps which my right hon. Friend could take, in addition to answering Questions in the 412 House, to stimulate the registration of teachers between now and the final date?
§ Mr. RossI assure my hon. Friend that I take every opportunity to try to bring the importance of this matter to the notice of teachers. I delivered a speech to that effect when opening a school in Glasgow a short time ago.