To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations are currently taking place with teachers and local education authorities on pay increases.

My right hon. Friend wrote on 19 April to the local authority associations, the teacher unions and bodies representing the interests of the governors of voluntary schools setting out his proposal to implement the recommendations on pay rates of the interim advisory committee on school teachers' pay and conditions. This letter invited the consultees to say if they would like a meeting with him or with officials, such meetings to take place by 13 May. A number of such meetings have been arranged.