§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about his meeting with Church leaders on 10 February about finding a solution to the teachers' dispute.
§ Mr. Bruceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what specific proposals were discussed with representatives of Scottish churches on Monday 10 February relating to the current teachers' dispute; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allan StewartMy right hon. and learned Friend had a useful exchange of views with representatives of the Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church on 10 February. He emphasised that any final package had to deal with teachers' duties and conditions of service as well as pay. He would not lay down preconditions for the outcome of the negotiations and recognised that a balance had to be struck between the aspirations of both sides if an early end to the dispute was to be found. He noted that the employers and the majority of the teachers' unions in England and Wales had been able to reach agreement on the basis of Government resources that were equally available to teachers in Scotland; and he expressed the hope that negotiations between teachers and employers would now begin on the basis of the resources available.