HC Deb 21 July 2000 vol 354 cc332-3W
Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out the terms of contract for external assessors under the teachers' performance-related pay scheme, with particular reference to the length of term of such contracts; and what additional costs will be incurred as a result of the High Court judgment of 14 July. [131752]

Ms Estelle Morris

Cambridge Education Associates (CEA) have been contracted by DfEE to recruit, deploy and quality assure external assessors. In turn CEA contract with individuals to work as threshold assessors. The terms of this contract are a matter between the individual and CEA. The length of the contract depends on the individual assessor's availability to work for CEA. It is not yet clear what, if any, additional costs will be incurred as a result of the High Court Judgment of the 14 July.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the costs which will be incurred if the School Teachers' Pay Review Body recommends changes to the standards set for teachers to meet the threshold requirements under performance-related pay and all applications have to be re-submitted. [131753]

Ms Estelle Morris

The Department has asked the School Teacher Review Body to start the process of consulting formally on the threshold standards. At this time it is not possible to say whether the Review Body will recommend any changes. Therefore the Department cannot estimate the costs that will be incurred at this stage.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what advice he received prior to the recent court ruling on teachers' performance-related pay concerning how the(a) determination and (b) imposition of threshold standards under the teachers' performance-related pay scheme should be dealt with, with particular reference to his statutory powers. [131974]

Ms Estelle Morris

My right hon. Friend receives advice as appropriate before he takes decisions.