§ Amendment proposed: No. 110, in page 59, leave out lines 14 to 19.—[Mr. Alexander Fletcher.]
§ 9 am
§ Mr. MillanThis is a significant amendment. It is not a drafting amendment. Frankly, I do not understand it. It 227 appears to be taking decisions outwith the procedure of what is at present the Scottish teachers' salaries committee. At present decisions in those committees are taken by a majority vote, but they require a majority of both sides. For obvious reasons, a majority on the teachers' side could affect the settlement if a majority of the management were against it, just because more teachers were present at the meeting, and vice versa. A majority has always meant a majority of members of both sides of the committee. That provision is being removed. I do not know why that is happening. Perhaps the Minister will explain.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThis matter was raised in Committee by my hon. Friend the Member for Argyll (Mr. MacKay). The right hon. Gentleman has correctly outlined the position. Now, rather than attempting to define the particular circumstances in which a majority of each side is not required, it is preferable simply to remove paragraph 3 from the schedule. The amendment would leave it to a committee or a sub-committee to prescribe its own voting procedures and standing orders made under paragraph 1(c) (ii) of the schedule.
§ Amendment agreed to.