§ 41. Mr. Sternasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the effects of the current industrial action by certain teaching unions on pupils' education.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe National Union of Teachers has called on its members to refuse to supervise pupils at lunchtime, take part in any school activity out of timetabled school hours, handle school meals payments or stand in for absent colleagues. I understand that the effects of this action vary between and within local education authorities. While the disruption does not seem to have had a significant or widespread effect, I am very concerned that children's education should be subject to any interruption or uncertainty and I deplore the intention of the two largest teacher unions to cause further disruption by taking strike action from next week.