Vol. 362 No. 3
asked the Minister for Education if the Government have yet received the report of the chairman of the teachers' arbitration board; if the Government accept the report; if so, when it will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
25.
asked the Minister for Education is she is aware of the concern of the teaching organisation about her abandonment of the arbitration process; the action, if any, she intends taking in the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 25 together. I received the report of the arbitration board for teachers on a claim for a special pay increase for teachers on 5 November. It is a matter for the Government to decide whether the findings of the arbitration board should be implemented. Under the terms of the conciliation and arbitration scheme for teachers the Government are allowed a period of three months from the date of receipt of the report to come to a decision on the findings.
The report of the arbitration board is at present under consideration, in accordance with the provisions of the scheme. It is incorrect to suggest that I have abandoned the arbitration process.
