§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the present situation pertaining to negotiations with the Scottish further education sector following the recommendations of the Ferguson Committee on the grading of courses at Higher National Diploma level; and when he expects a final conclusion to be reached.
§ Mr. McElhoneThe Ferguson Committee has made recommendations about the regrading of certain courses, including some Higher National Diploma Courses, to the three relevant salary negotiating bodies. The decision about the 439W implementation of these recommendations in the further education sector rests with the Scottish Teachers Salaries Committee, which has the matter under consideration.
§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received about the failure to eradicate anomalies in the salary structure of further education lecturers resulting from the recommendations of the Houghton Report and the implementation of Her Majesty's Government's phase 2 pay policy; when he expects these to be eradicated; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McElhone59 representations have been received this year about the implementation of stage 2 of the Houghton Report in colleges of further education. Representatives of the Scottish Teachers Salaries Committee met my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Employment on 21st November, and I expect the Committee to consider the matter further in the light of that meeting.