HC Deb 16 May 1978 vol 950 cc219-20
3. Mr. Montgomery

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she last met representatives of the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers.

The Secretary of State for Education and Science and Paymaster General (Mrs. Shirley Williams)

I attended the organisation's annual conference during the Easter Recess, as the hon. Gentleman may have noticed, and I hope to meet it at the opening of the new administrative building in Rednal on 23rd June.

Mr. Montgomery

As the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers is operating a ban on out-of-hours activities in all areas where members have not had a written undertaking from the local education authority that their duties are entirely voluntary, does not the Secretary of State now feel that it would be a good idea to set up a national forum to discuss not only teachers' pay but conditions of work?

Mrs. Williams

On the first part of the question, the hon. Gentleman may not be aware that I am not a party to teachers' conditions of service. That is a matter which, by law, lies between the teachers' employers—the local authorities—and the teachers' organisations. With regard to the possibility of a professional council, I have indicated to teachers' organisations that I would be willing to consider that suggestion if they can put forward agreed proposals.

Mr. Hardy

Does my right hon. Friend agree that her reception at the recent annual conference of the union was a great deal more cordial than that which would be afforded by any intelligent group of teachers to the primeval lunacies of the hon. Member for Brent, North (Dr. Boyson)?

Mr. William Shelton

With reference to the NAS and UWT, can the right hon. Lady comment on the submissions from ACAS regarding teachers' representations in meetings with Her Majesty's Government?

Mrs. Williams

I very much regret that ACAS has not been able to identify a basis upon which joint consultative meetings can take place. The matter will therefore be passed to me to discuss with the teachers' organisations.