§ 29. Mr. James Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to him by the Educational Institute for Scotland, Senior Secondary Teachers Association and the Scottish Schoolmasters Association about a review of the General Teaching Council; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossI have received representations for an early review from the Scottish Schoolmasters Association and have replied to them in the sense indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend 397 the Member for Scotstoun (Mr. Small) on 18th December.—[Vol. 775, c. 396–7.]
§ Mr. HamiltonOnce my right hon. Friend has representations from the E.I.S. and the S.S.T.A., will he consider an early review? Now that the dust has settled, will my right hon. Friend promise an early review and give a date?
§ Mr. RossI have already firmly stated that I am willing to have an early review. I did not mention anything about dust settling. I said as soon as it was considered desirable by the main bodies concerned. I stand by that.
§ Mr. MacArthurWill the right hon. Gentleman recognise that we wish to be generally helpful in this situation? Will he accept that a large body of those teachers who have not registered would be encouraged to do so if, before long, he were in a position to announce that a review of the constitution and formation of the General Teaching Council would definitely be held within a stated period? Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to keep in the closest touch with this aspect —
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Long questions mean fewer questions.
§ Mr. MacArthurPerhaps I may just finish the question by asking the Secretary of State whether he will keep in touch with these bodies so that an agreed statement can be made at the earliest possible moment.
§ Mr. RossYes. I think that I made the Government's position on this very clear when we debated it fully last week. The indications proved to be helpful in this respect. As far as I can see, the position is getting much calmer as days pass.