asked the Minister for Education the annual salary of a (a) teacher on the common basic salary scale without post of responsibility or other allowance, and (b) college teacher in a regional technical college without the post of responsibility or other allowance, each of whom has 15 years teaching experience on 2 October 1980, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The annual salary of a teacher on the common basic salary scale with 15 years' teaching experience is £9,934.

A salary claim on behalf of the college teacher grade and other grades of staff in regional technical colleges is at present being considered through the Teachers' Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme. It would not be appropriate for me, accordingly, to make a statement at this time bearing on that claim.

I asked the Minister to give me the salary of a college teacher as at 2 October 1980. Does the Minister have that information?

I do not have that information because, as I told the House, the lowest, highest and intermediate grades are a matter of arbitration at present. It would not be appropriate for me to mention them here.

I agree that since it is under arbitration and conciliation ——

Arbitration, the conciliation stage is over.

—— I would not expect a statement. I have asked for an historical figure of what the actual salary was at 2 October. That is not under arbitration.

It is.

The Minister is avoiding the question.

I am answering the question. I am giving the full information to the House.

Is the Minister aware of the serious discontent among teachers?

That is a different question altogether.

Is the Minister aware of the serious discontent among lecturers in regional colleges?

I am making no comment on a matter of salary——

The Minister is avoiding the question.

No amount of hollering by the Deputy will change my mind.

Given that the Minister has told us in reply that the annual salary of a teacher on the common basic salary scale after 15 years is £9,000 odd, is the Minister aware that in a recent Sunday newspaper article the average salary of a teacher paid directly or indirectly by his Department was £10,500? Would the Minister accept this is an accurate figure for the average teacher's salary at present?

I do not know anything about the press statement which the Deputy mentions. I was asked the question about the 15th point of the scale, which is not the final point. I have given the correct figure for that point.