§ 43 and 44. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) why, under his college letter 3/67 r/574/54 of 25th February, he has instructed voluntary colleges of education 133W that the revised scales for local government employees in the administrative, professional and technical classes payable with effect from 1st February in maintained colleges of education should not apply to voluntary colleges;
(2) whether he is satisfied that his decision to discriminate between the maintained and voluntary colleges in relation to the increased payment to staff will not affect the recruitment of staff of colleges maintained by religious bodies; and if he will make a statement.
§ 49. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why there is a difference in Government policy on the restraint of pay increases which prevent the same treatment for non-teaching staff of voluntary colleges of education as of maintained colleges.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsEmployees covered directly by agreements which were entered into on or before 20th July, 1966, to increase pay by specific amounts before the end of 1966 may, under paragraph 32 of Command 3150, receive these increases after six months' deferment. But Government policy requires that such increases should be limited to those directly covered by those agreements. The voluntary colleges of education were not party to the local government agreements in question here, so they have been advised that no consequential increases should be paid before 1st July, 1967. I cannot predict the effect on recruitment, but the White Paper on the severe restraint period (Cmnd. 3150) says that only in the most exceptional circumstances can a pay increase be justified during this period in order to attract or retain manpower.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why his Department has advised that the pay of non-teaching staff at voluntary colleges of education should be frozen whereas the pay of similar staff at maintained colleges is allowed to rise; and, as this has a divisive effect, if he will reconsider his decision.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsI would refer the hon. Member to my Answer today to the hon. Members for Liverpool, Waver-tree (Mr. Tilney) and Cheltenham (Mr. Dodds-Parker).