HC Deb 04 February 1986 vol 91 cc137-8
14. Mr. Haselhurst

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will introduce legislation to repeal the Remuneration of Teachers Act 1965.

Sir Keith Joseph

In response to requests from the local authority associations, I have made it clear that I am prepared to consider proposals for changes in the present arrangements, but before coming to a firm view I would want to be satisfied that any new arrangements would offer the prospect of being a real improvement on the existing ones.

Mr. Haselhurst

Does my right hon. Friend accept that the present arrangements for determining teachers' pay have few remaining friends, especially in the Conservative party, and that if he made it clear that he will have done with them, it could only assist the outcome of the talks at ACAS?

Sir Keith Joseph

I well understand that, and I would be willing to go to my colleagues and ask for legislative time, but first I would have to be satisfied that the proposed alternative arrangements would improve the position. Scotland has arrangements that are roughly similar to what many people wish existed in place of Burnham, but the outcome in Scotland is not noticeably better than that in England and Wales.