HC Deb 12 December 1973 vol 866 cc388-9
3. Mr. James Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the Educational Institute for Scotland and other teachers' organisations.

Mr. Monro

I have regular contacts with the teachers' organisations, but I propose to invite the three principal organisations to meet me as soon as practicable.

Mr. Hamilton

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that responsible reply. Does he agree that it is imperative that he should meet the teachers' organisations as quickly as possible, bearing in mind that in the West of Scotland there is a shortage of 1,195 teachers and that the Educational Institute for Scotland has put forward a suggestion that a working party be set up immediately to deal with teachers' problems? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if the answer is not in the affirmative the consequences can be very serious? Will he also take note of what has been said by the Scottish Senior Secondary Teachers Association and the Scottish Schoolmasters Association? Does he further agree that unless something drastic is done by the Government there could be a serious situation for teachers in Scotland?

Mr. Monro

I appreciate that the hon. Gentleman is concerned about this matter, which he raised on the Adjournment debate on Monday night. I shall listen to any topics which the teachers' organisations wish to raise with me when we meet. I shall try to arrange a meeting which is suitable to the three organisations as soon as possible. The hon. Gentleman would not want to give the impression that the situation to which he has referred applies throughout Scotland. I accept that it is bad in Lanarkshire, Glasgow and Renfrewshire, but elsewhere it is satisfactory.

Mr. Edward Taylor

Will my hon. Friend keep an open mind on the proposal for a working party or some other form of inquiry into the staffing position in Scotland? In his discussions will he take every step to avoid a strike, which could further disrupt the serious staffing problem in the West of Scotland?

Mr. Monro

I hope that any discussions which I have will make the teachers' organisations think again about strike action. I hope it will not come to that. There is a conditions of service committee set up between the local authorities and the teaching organisations. This committee can meet at any time, and has regular meetings. I should like to consider what the teachers' organisations say to me before I make any further pronouncement.

Mr. Ewing

When the hon. Gentleman meets the teachers' organisations will he also consider meeting the Association of Technical Teachers in order to consider its claim that all existing teachers of technical subjects should be granted the new technical teacher's diploma in education without having to sit the examinations set for those teachers? Will he give this matter serious consideration?

Mr. Monro

I shall give consideration to it, but this is another question. There is a misunderstanding about the technical teachers. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman about this matter.