HC Deb 20 March 1974 vol 870 cc1018-9
18. Mr. White

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland by how much the number of teachers in secondary schools in the Glasgow Education Authority is below establishment.

Mr. Robert Hughes

In September last Glasgow was about 350 teachers short of the number needed for the staffing standards proposed in the report on secondary school staffing. The report recognised, of course, that these standards were for the future and would not be achieved for some time yet, especially in the more difficult areas.

Mr. White

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that one school in Pollok is 20 teachers short? I do not blame my hon. Friend for that, because we have been subjected to four years of Tory rule. Will my hon. Friend regard this as urgent, and urge Glasgow Corporation to make local authority houses available to teachers in the way that most local authorities do for firemen and policemen?

Mr. Hughes

I shall bear in mind the suggestion about council housing. A circular was issued last month by the Scottish Education Department, after consultation with local authority associations, asking all education authorities, apart from Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Renfrew-shire, not to improve their staffing position in the session 1974–75 beyond that attained this session. It is hoped that that will help to make more teachers available in areas of extreme shortage.

Mr. Brewis

How does the hon. Gentleman expect to get more teachers if they are paid less than mineworkers? Is the situation not going to get much worse?

Mr. Hughes

Teachers' salaries are a matter for negotiation. I do not think that one should in any way decry the settlement made to the miners. It will help to improve the conditions of children in mining areas and enable them to benefit from the system of education that is provided.

Mr. Sillars

Is there any truth in the suggestion that when the hon. Member for Galloway (Mr. Brewis) retires he will take a job in the pits?

Mr. Hughes

Not soon enough.