§ 10. Mr. Alisonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress is being made towards the establishment of negotiating machinery for determining the pay of university teachers.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsFollowing my meetings with each of the parties concerned, the University Grants Committee is now discussing with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and the Association of University Teachers possible alternative forms of negotiating machinery.
§ Mr. AlisonDid the hon. Lady note the significant change in tone in the Chancellor's Budget speech on the prices and incomes policy? Can the hon. Lady give a pledge that university teachers will never again be chastised with the scorpion of Mr. Aubrey Jones?
§ Mrs. WilliamsIt would be inappropriate for me to give a pledge about any one group in the community. My view is that the professions should be subject to the same situation as those who work in manual trades. However, I hope to make a more prolonged and detailed statement to the House shortly.