§ Mr. J. Silvermanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has given further consideration to recommendation of the Report of Inquiry on the Disturbances at the Carlton Approved School on the desirability of his Department being retpre- 224W sented for a substantial trial period at meetings of the salary-negotiating bodies concerned with approved school professional staff; and what further steps he has taken thereon.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI do not think it would be appropriate for my Department, which is not an employer of approved school staff, to be represented at meetings of the salary-negotiating bodies concerned with such staff. These bodies take steps to ensure that they are aware of any special considerations affecting approved schools and I have no doubt they will continue to take such considerations fully into account.
§ Mr. J. Silvermanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to implement recommendation 8 of the Report of Inquiry on the Disturbances at the Carlton Approved School on the housemaster's scale of remuneration and the advisability of extending housemaster training.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe scale of remuneration for housemasters in approved schools is being dealt with by the Standing Joint Advisory Committee for Staffs of Children's Homes, which is the appropriate negotiating body, and I understand that an offer has been made by the employers' side.
Plans for extending housemaster training are being made, in consultation with the Central Training Council in Child Care. A one-year course for senior residential staff, including approved school housemasters, will start at Bristol in October, and it is hoped to enlarge the existing course based on Aycliffe School and to start at least one new course next year.