§ 14. Mr. Lawsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in improving the distribution of teachers between and within education authority areas.
§ 59. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to bring about a more equitable distribution of teachers between and within the education authority; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MillanI do not yet have returns for the current Session, but a comparison of figures for the previous two Sessions suggests that there was no marked change in the distribution of teachers between areas during that period. Within areas, schools designated under the inducement payments scheme tended to improve their staffing position relatively to other schools.
In addition to that scheme, I made proposals last year, in Departmental Circular 714, for improvements in distribution and I intend, in the light of comments on these proposals, to have further consultations with interests concerned.
§ 49. Mr. Brewisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers are at present on strike; and what action he is taking to ensure full-time education in Scottish schools.
§ Mr. MillanMy information is that 126 teachers are on strike today. I have no precise information as yet as to the number of pupils affected.