§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pupils in Aberdeen and in Scotland, respectively, have not been taught for their full number of school hours as a result of the teachers' strike, over the latest available period; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YoungerEducation authorities do not all record the effects of industrial action in the same way and it would be impossible without disproportionate effort to determine precisely the total number of pupils affected. From the information available however it is estimated that in 605W varying degrees about 28,000 pupils have been affected in Aberdeen and about 620,000 in Scotland during the period 12 to 29 May.
I greatly regret the action at present being taken by some teachers to disrupt the education service and I hope that the parties will resume negotiations as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue a statement to clear up misunderstandings among teachers about their present pay situation, in order to bring the present teachers' strike to a complete end as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. YoungerI have no reason to believe that the present situation in relation to the teachers' pay claim arises from any misunderstanding by teachers' negotiators of their position. The negotiation of teachers' salaries is the statutory responsibility of the Scottish Teachers' Salaries Committees and the Government will not intervene. I am glad to note that the STSC is to meet again on 4 June.