§ 16. Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many days of education have been lost by schoolchildren as a result of strike action.
§ Mr. DunnPrecise information is not available. However, I am aware that a very large number of pupil days have been lot or interrupted by industrial action taken by the three largest school teacher unions. Strike action has not in fact been the union's major weapon. Striking results in loss of pay and the unions have sought to minimise such a direct penalty by engaging in selective strikes of short duration and by taking other forms of action specifically designed to cause maximum disruption of the schools with minimum cost to those doing the disruption.
§ 25. Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the current teachers' pay dispute.
§ 26. Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the prospects for a settlement of the teachers' dispute.
§ 29. Dr. Michael Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the current teachers' dispute.
§ 30. Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the teachers' pay dispute.
§ 34. Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the current teachers' dispute.
§ 35. Mr. Andrew MacKayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the teachers' dispute.
§ 43. Mrs. Currieasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the teachers' dispute.
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§ 44. Mr. David Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the teachers' pay dispute.
§ 47. Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking to seek to end the teachers' industrial dispute.
§ 48. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the latest position in the teachers' pay dispute.
§ 50. Mr. Baldryasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the teachers' pay dispute.
§ 53. Mr. Leighasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the teachers' dispute.
§ 57. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made in resolving the teachers' dispute.
§ Mr. Spencerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the current position in the teachers' dispute.
§ Sir Keith JosephI refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Dormand) and my hon. Friends the Members for Cannock and Burntwood (Mr. Howarth), Erith and Cray ford (Mr. Evennett), Teignbridge (Mr. Nicholls), South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) and Rutland and Melton (Mr. Latham).
§ 49. Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list, by local education authority, the number of teachers who have been disciplined as a result of absenting themselves during the current teachers' dispute; and if he will list the number of pupils excluded or expelled from school for demonstrating or indicating dissent with the actions of their teachers.
§ Sir Keith JosephI understand that all local education authorities withhold pay in respect of absences due to strikes. Detailed information about disciplinary action against either teachers or pupils is not available centrally; but it does appear that teachers are able to achieve their objective of maximum disruption of education at minimum cost to themselves.
§ 56. Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met representatives of the teaching unions to discuss the present pay dispute.
§ Sir Keith JosephI met representatives of the National Union of Teachers on 7 November, at their request, to discuss the pay dispute.
§ Mr. Wallerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what effect he expects the dispute involving the teaching profession to have on his plans to reform the secondary school examination structure.
§ Mr. Chris PattenWe have no reports of significant disruption to the preparations for the introduction of the general certificate of secondary education. The majority of teachers will not become involved in the training programme for the GCSE until next year.