§ Sir J. Henderson-Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet submitted to the National Joint Council modified proposals for an improvement in teachers' salary scales; and if he will make a statement.
52W
§ Mr. MaclayI have today sent to the National Joint Council for their comments my proposals for new salary scales for Scottish teachers employed by education authorities.
The proposals provide for increases at both the minimum and the maximum, and also for the shortening, of all scales in varying measure. In particular, they will improve the pay and prospects of the more highly qualified teachers and are designed to encourage the recruitment to the profession of both honours and ordinary graduates. Thus the honours graduate scale is increased from £780–1,400 to £830–1,600 and is shortened from 17 to 10 increments; the scale for ordinary graduates is increased from £630–1,100 to £680–1,225 and is shortened from 17 to 12 increments; and the scale for non-graduate primary teachers is increased from £545–1,000 to £560–1,040 and is shortened from 19 to 14 increments.
These figures relate to basic scales. Varying increases are also proposed in the responsibility allowances which are paid to 27 per cent. of all teachers.
Since the proposed improvements in salary which I have sent to the National Joint Council differ in amount for each grade of teacher, it is a little misleading to express them in terms of an average percentage, but the cost of my proposals, including the shortening of scales, represents an increase of about £4.6 million or some 12½ per cent. on the present salary bill.