§ Major GRAYasked the President of the Board of Education whether the action of the Erith education authority, in dismissing from his position as teacher Mr. Walter R. Davids because he refused to join the National Union of Teachers, or any union, was taken under a standing regulation of the Erith Council applicable to all employés, and that the National Union of Teachers had nothing whatever to do with the matter, either by suggesting the regulation or its application in this case?
§ Mr. FISHERThe answer is in the affirmative. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by me to-day to the hon. Member for the Springburn Division of Glasgow.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENasked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the action of the Erith Education Committee in dismissing from his position as teacher at Brook Street School, Erith, Mr. Walter R. Davids, for the reason that Mr. Davids, owing to conscientious scruples, refused to join the National Union of Teachers or any union; whether Mr. Davids is now 52 years of age and has had a career of 33 years as a teacher; whether, in respect that teaching is a profession and not a trade, he will introduce legislation to forbid teachers forming themselves into unions or associations which impose conditions upon a learned profession which have no relation to 793W either learning, character, or professional skill, and which lead to the denial of liberty of conscience to its members; and what provision does he in the meantime propose to make for Mr. Davids in respect of the wrong which has been inflicted upon him?
§ Mr. FISHERI am aware of this deplorable case. The statements in the question as to Mr. Davids' age and length of service are apparently correct. So far as I am aware the action of the Erith Local Education Authority in dismissing Mr. Davids was not taken in consequence of any pressure or suggestion emanating from the National Union of Teachers, and was not countenanced by that Union. It was taken under a resolution of the Erith Urban District Council, which provides that all employés of the Council must be in possession of a current financial trades union card or be requested to hand in their resignation within 28 days. While, therefore, I am strongly of opinion that a teacher should have full liberty to join or not to join any union or association of teachers as he thinks best, it is clear that in this case the particular measure of legislation which the hon. Member suggests would be misdirected.