asked the Minister of Education what is the policy of his Department towards salary scales in direct-grant schools.

I would invite my hon. Friend's attention to Regulation 47 (1) of the Draft Primary and Secondary Schools (Grant Conditions) Regulations under which the scales of remuneration for teachers in direct grant grammar schools have to be adequate and reasonable.

Yes, but does my right hon. Friend realise that if the Burnham Scales become a maximum to direct-grant schools, there will be very serious reductions?

I think we must wait and see. I do not take a pessimistic view of the matter.