§ Mr. Stodartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with the arrangements for the review of matters concerning the teaching profession.
§ Mr. MaclayAfter discussion with the main parties concerned, I have decided on the general arrangements for the review. To carry out the principal inquiry, I am appointing a Committee consisting of representatives nominated by the education authorities, the teachers' organisations, the Scottish Council for the Training of Teachers, and the Association of Directors of Education, together with three independent members and officials of the Scottish Education Department.
I am glad to say that the right hon. the Lord Wheatley, a Senator of the College of Justice, has agreed to be Chairman. The full membership will be announced when all the nominations have been received. The Committee's terms of reference will be:
To review, in the light of the requirements of the education service and the practice in relation to other professions, the present arrangements for the award and withdrawal of certificates of competency to teach, and to make recommendations regarding any changes that are considered desirable in these arrangements and any consequential changes in the functions of teacher training authorities.In addition, I am setting up four Working Parties, representing the main interests concerned, to consider the following particular subjects: consultation 9W between teachers and the Scottish Education Department on educational matters; relations between teachers and the education authorities; representation of teachers on education committees; and pensions for widows, widowers and dependants of teachers.
The Committee and the Working Parties will proceed with their inquiries concurrently, and the report of each will be published as soon as it is ready.