§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is his Department's definition of the duties of a school teacher in the role of accompanying children on foreign educational visits within his contract of employment under the Teachers' Pay and Conditions Act 1987;
(2) what is his Department's definition of the duties of a school teacher in the role of accompanying children on non-curriculum and examination related trips within his contract of employment under the Teachers' Pay and Conditions Act 1987.
§ Mrs. RumboldIt is a matter for teachers' employers and the head teacher to define the particular duties of a teacher against the background of the duties set out in orders made by my right hon. Friend under section 3 of the Teachers' Pay and Conditions Act 1987. How far paticular activities should be regarded as duties falling within a teacher's contract of employment and how far they should he treated as voluntary is a matter to be determined by reference to the particular circumstances of each case taking into account a teacher's contract of employment and any relevant instructions, guidance or policies of the teacher's employers. A teacher who engages in activities of the kind referred to by the hon. Member will have his or her normal responsibility for the pupil's discipline, health and safety.