§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make proposals for reductions in teachers' remuneration where disruption is caused by industrial action.
§ Sir Keith JosephIt is for the employers to implement the contracts of employment which they have with their teachers. I understand that these contain provisions for the deduction of salary in certain circumstances including strike action. I also understand that a small number of authorities have made deductions in respect of disruptive action short of strikes, such as refusal to cover for absent teachers. I further understand that the National Union of Teachers contends that employers do not have the right to make such deductions, and court action is pending involving five local education authorities.