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Non-Graduates (Teaching Appointments, England)

Volume 657: debated on Wednesday 4 April 1962

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1.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many third- and fourth-year non-graduate teachers have taken teaching appointments in England since 1st January, 1962.

Since 1st January, 1962, nineteen three- or four-year trained non-graduate women teachers of general subjects have left Scotland to take teaching appointments in England or Wales.

Is the Minister aware that certain categories of these third-year and fourth-year non-graduate teachers in Scotland are being paid much less than their counterparts in England? Is he aware that a third-year non-graduate teacher in Scotland receives £40 less at the minimum and £130 less at the maximum, and that a fourth-year non-graduate teacher receives £5 less at the minimum and £120 less at the maximum? In view of the unanimous recommendations of the National Joint Council, could the hon. Gentleman suggest to his right hon. Friend that these recommendations should now be adopted, or else we shall have more teachers, who are badly needed in Scotland, leaving for England?

No, Sir. During the same period twenty teachers with similar qualifications came from England and Wales to Scotland, so on balance we are one up.

Will the Under-Secretary regard this problem a little more seriously than he appears to be doing? Would he agree that in principle it is bad that cheap labour should flow from one side of the Border to the other, irrespective of what countries are involved? Does not he think that equal teaching standards should be aimed at on both sides of the Border, with equal salaries for these categories both in England and Scotland?

The Question was directed to the flow of non-graduate teachers to the South. On balance, we are level in that respect. There is no evidence that any differences in salaries in these categories or others is causing much movement.