HC Deb 21 July 1989 vol 157 c370W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has made an assessment of the Single European Act; and how it will assist local education authorities in recruiting teachers from the European Community.

Mr. Butcher

Freedom of movement for the professions is a key priority in the single market programme. On 21. December 1988 the Council of Ministers of the European Communities adopted a directive which will enable a range of professionals, including teachers, to have their professional qualifications recognized for the purposes of practice in member states other than their own. The directive must be implemented by 1991. My right hon. Friend proposes to make regulations according the benefits of the directive to members of the teaching profession qualified in other member states from September this year. This should assist local education authorities in their recruitment of teachers from other member states.