§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what complaints and representations he has received about the current membership pattern of the Burnham committee; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe Department has received requests for a review of the teachers' panel of the Burnham primary and secondary committee from nine organisations and five individuals, and the matter has also been referred to by others writing on a variety of educational matters. Most argue that the changes in membership of the teacher unions since 1981 should be reflected in their representation on the Burnham committee. I believe that294W the time for a review of the committee's membership may come before long but I am not convinced that that time has yet arrived.
§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will initiate discussions with teachers' organisations concerning the conventions of negotiating procedures relating to the Burnham committee.
§ Sir Keith JosephNo.