§ 7. Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress she is making with her plans to establish a General Teaching Council.
§ Mr. OakesMy right hon. Friend has always taken the view that initiatives towards a teachers' professional council must come from the teachers themselves. She is very ready to consider, in consultation with other interests, any agreed proposals which the teachers' organisations may put forward.
§ Mr. NewtonI thank the Minister for that reply. Is it not time for Ministers to proceed with a greater sense of urgency? Would not the creation of an effective professional body be a real help in resolving some of the difficult issues now facing teachers, such as the problems of redundancy and early retirement?
§ Mr. OakesI agree with the hon. Gentleman—it could be a help. The difficulty is that there are substantial differences of view between the teachers' organisations. My right hon. Friend could not impose a solution on the teachers. Any such body must grow from what the profession, as a whole, wants. I wish they could make up their minds.