HC Deb 10 November 1989 vol 159 c791W
Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has received any representations about recognition for the Professional Association of Teachers.

Mrs. Rumbold

The Professioal Association of Teachers has represented to my right hon. Friend that some local education authorities still decline to recognise the association. That is a choice which they can make, but the Government recognise the PAT as one of the six schoolteacher unions with whom they deal. Under delegated budgeting schools governors will acquire more extensive responsibilities for employment matters and will be free to recognise unions not recognised by the local education authority.