§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the difficulties facing the teaching profession, if he will consider setting up an educational working conference drawn from teachers' organisations, local authorities, educational bodies, and Government to consider an agreed approach to policies covering such issues as teacher supply, meeting problems associated with raising the leaving age, and the allocation of material and manpower resources; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RossI think that the wide range of matters mentioned by my hon. Friend can more effectively be considered under the various existing arrangements than by a working conference as suggested.