Teachers (Pay and Conditions)

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Education and Science – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 17 March 1987.

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Photo of Mr Paddy Ashdown Mr Paddy Ashdown , Yeovil 12:00, 17 March 1987

As the Secretary of State well knows, the alliance does not believe that the teachers should be striking at the moment. Does he agree that that action will damage not only the children's education but the teachers' cause? Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that many people outside the House and, indeed, outside politics, recognise that his action in withdrawing without limit the rights to negotiate pay and conditions was a deliberately provocative act, so that he now bears the burden of the blame for some of the disruption which is going on in our schools?