§ 18. Mr. Home-Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schools to date have been affected by industrial action connected with the teachers' case for an independent pay review.
§ Mr. Allan StewartI understand that almost all the 2,883 local authority primary and secondary schools have been affected to some extent.
§ 20. Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on representations he has received and initiatives taken in relation to the current disputes in Scottish schools.
§ 33. Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further progress he has made in efforts to settle the teachers strike.
§ Mr. Allan StewartSince October 1984 some 4,900 letters have been received from hon. Members, parents and teachers. By its continuing insistence on an independent review which would look at pay alone, the EIS has prevented a review of pay and conditions of service within the SJNC(SE), as suggested by the Government. On 17 June my right hon. Friend discussed with the education committee of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities a job description appropriate for a teacher in today's society. This could pave the way for the SNJC to consider the implications for pay and conditions and to draw up a package. The most realistic way forward in resolving the present damaging dispute would be for the teachers to enter forthwith into negotiations with the employers for the current year as an interim step towards a more comprehensive agreement for 1986–87 and subsequent years.
§ 21. Mr. Hirstasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the current teachers' industrial action in Scotland.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThis week, strike action is being taken by EIS members in some schools in Lothian region, and the boycott of curricular development work imposed since August 1984 continues. I understand that the Educational Institute of Scotland plans intensified industrial action next term. I deplore the damage to children's education which this entails when the way to the negotiating table remains open.