HC Deb 16 June 1981 vol 6 cc854-5
12. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has given advice to local education authorities regarding the continued employment of unsatisfactory teachers in the light of the numbers of teachers in their employ suffering the impact of falling school rolls.

Mr. Macfarlane

No, Sir. It is for local education authorities to determine how far they can improve the quality of their teaching forces while reducing numbers.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Has my hon. Friend noticed the comments that were made at the recent conference of the National Association of Head Teachers? Is it not unfortunately inevitable that where local authorities, such as Cheshire, require schools to take in first preference, when there are vacancies, teachers who are already available in other schools in the area, there may be an implication for standards? It is understandable that local authorities should assume that attitude, but should not serious consideration be given to the possibility that children's education may suffer as a result?

Mr. Macfarlane

I am certainly aware of the comments made by the National Association of Head Teachers, at whose annual conference my right hon. and learned Friend spoke a week or so ago. I hope that head teachers will take due note of their responsibilities in this respect. I remind my hon. Friend that it is primarily the duty of the local education authority to assess all these matters in conjunction with the head teacher.

Mr. Skinner

If the local authorities concerned have all the power that the Minister suggests, and if they put forward estimates based on what they need to staff their schools correctly, in accordance with what the Government suggest, will the hon. Gentleman guarantee that, if the Secretary of State for the Environment or the Chancellor of the Exchequer says that they are spending too much money in this regard, he will stand by them when they try to spend that money in accordance with the policy put forward by him and several Education Ministers this afternoon?

Mr. Macfarlane

Once again, the hon. Gentleman's blind prejudice takes him down all sorts of paths. No hon. Member really follows him. If he wishes to table a question on those lines, no doubt he will do so.