HC Deb 25 March 1985 vol 76 cc12-3
13. Sir Anthony Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the number of pupil-hours lost in Wales in consequence of the current teachers' pay dispute.

Mr. John Stradling Thomas

It is not possible to make a reliable estimate from the information that is available centrally. However, a substantial number of schools have been closed or disrupted by industrial action in recent weeks, and I greatly deplore the harm that that is doing to the education of our children at this crucial time in the academic year.

Sir Anthony Meyer

Is my hon. Friend aware that most teachers recognise perfectly well that they have no chance whatever of winning this naughty strike against a Government as resolute as the present one? Will my hon. Friend also consider that teaching is a vocation, not merely a profession, and that in dealing with the teachers he would do well to listen to what is being said by responsible trade union leaders, such as the leader of the Professional Association of Teachers and the leader of the National Union of Teachers in my constituency, who have called upon the teachers to accept arbitration?

Mr. Stradling Thomas

I am aware that there are mixed views within the profession, but the Government deplore the industrial action being taken by members of the NUT and the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers. The effects on children's education are severe and can never be fully rectified. Teachers must consider whether strikes and other forms of industrial action help their cause. In my opinion, they can only damage the children, the education service as a whole and, by turning the community against them, the teachers themselves. Hurting pupils is the wrong way of proceeding.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

Does the Minister of State accept his responsibility and that of the Government in precipitating this industrial dispute? Will he now confirm that the Government's policy of imposing limits upon local authorities' finance makes it impossible for them to meet the teachers' claim or to negotiate freely with them?

Mr. Stradling Thomas

I accept none of the comments that the hon. Gentleman has just made. As I have said several times at the Dispatch Box, and again today, the management of resources is a matter for the local education authorities. There have been no drastic cuts in the provision for education, despite the allegations that have been made. It is for local education authorities to manage their resources wisely and efficiently to maintain the standards in education that we all wish.

Mr. Barry Jones

What is the Minister of State doing to resolve the dispute? Will the Government intervene in a positive manner? If the dispute goes to arbitration, will the Government guarantee that the award will be backed by Government funds?

Mr. Stradling Thomas

It is clear that there is not the money available to meet the teachers' demands. Therefore, it is for them to come back and negotiate a sensible settlment, which could be achieved by sitting down and talking sensibly about the restructuring of the profession.