§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied that the maternity retention payment scheme for school teachers is a satisfactory use of public funds; and what investigations he is making into its operation.
§ Dr. BoysonThe scheme is set out in codified conditions of service, negotiated between the Association of County Councils and Association of Metropolitan Authorities—represented by the Council of Local Education Authorities—and the main associations representing schoolteachers. It is principally for the local authorities to judge for themselves whether the expenditure entailed is positively to their advantage—in the interest of good employer-employee relationship—given the many calls on their rate funds.