§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the request by Scottish teachers for an independent review of their salaries.
§ Mr. Younger[pursuant to his reply, 11 December 1984, c. 399.]: At their request I had a joint meeting with both sides of the Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff in School Education (SJNC(SE)) on 28 January and explained my position in greater detail. After a full discussion, the management side indicated that it would be prepared to undertake a review within the statutory framework of the SJNC(SE), embracing both pay and conditions of service, on the lines which I had previously suggested. I asked the teachers' side to give further careful consideration to this possibility. I emphasised that I remained ready to consider any package of proposals resulting from such a review on its merits and within the framework of the Government's plans for public expenditure in Scotland.