HC Deb 15 July 1971 vol 821 cc714-5
Q5. Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

asked the Prime Minister which Department has a responsibility for considering career structures in the teaching profession.

The Prime Minister

Departmental responsibility for career structures, in so far as they are an aspect of teachers' pay, rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. Her Department is associated with the local education authorities, who employ the teachers, on the three statutory negotiating bodies.

The arrangements are broadly similar in Scotland, where departmental responsibility rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Mr. Mallalieu

Is the Prime Minister aware, however, that delegations of teachers wishing to discuss this matter have been told by the Department of Education and Science that it is the responsibility of the Department of Employment and that, when they have gone to the Department of Employment, they have been told that it is the responsibility of the Department of Education and Science? Will he make absolutely certain that his Ministers know what their responsibilities are?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. I will gladly look into that. The answer which I have given I believe to be correct. As the hon. Gentleman probably knows, the issues of career structure which have recently arisen in the context of arbitration on teachers' pay are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. If he has any particular case which he would like me to look into on this matter, I will gladly do so.

Mr. Ashton

Is it not obvious that as there have been 300 Amendments to the Industrial Relations Bill in the House of Lords, there is still a great deal of confusion about who is responsible for industrial relations in this matter? Will the Prime Minister tell us how the Industrial Relations Bill will affect this aspect of negotiations on teachers' pay? Should he not hurry along there before Report stage is finished to make Amendments to get it straight?

The Prime Minister

This is a question about career structure in the teaching profession. It is not concerned with the Industrial Relations Bill.