§ Dr. A. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the responsibility elements proposed for Scottish head teachers under the Teachers' Salaries (Scotland) Regulations, 1959, fall short of the present elements paid to holders of similar posts in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; and whether he will make the necessary 15W adjustments to ensure that no Scottish head teacher is at a financial disadvantage as compared to his counterpart in England.
§ Mr. MaclayI am aware that there are differences in the responsibility elements. It can hardly be expected that separate and independent salary negotiations conducted in the several countries should have identical results, or results which16W favour, in all respects, the teachers of one country. When basic and responsibility elements for posts both in primary and in secondary schools are considered, the general position is not unfavourable to Scottish head teachers. Before making final regulations, I shall discuss the point with the National Joint Council whose agreed recommendations are embodied in the draft.