§ Baron de FORESTasked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention had been called to the fact that the number of candidates for teaching scholarships under the London County Council had decreased from 1,181 in 1908 to 477 in 1911; whether there was a similar decrease in other parts of England and Wales; if the cause of the decrease was known; and if the Board of Education was taking any measures to prevent the dearth of qualified teachers which must result in consequence of it?
§ Mr. J. PEASEThe Board have no information as to the number of candidates applying for teaching scholarships under the London County Council. I cannot trace any figures which exactly correspond to those mentioned in the question. I can give the number of persons actually recognised by the Board as pupil teachers or bursars in London for each of the years named. The number of persons so recognised was 1,158 in 1908, and 533 in 1911, showing a decrease similar to that suggested in the question, though not quite so great. The corresponding figures for England and Wales as a whole, including London, are 9,555 persons recognised in 1908, and 5,214 persons recognised in 1911. Possibly some small addition may have to be made to the 1911 figures on account of late applications. The decrease is probably due in a large measure to an impression which recently existed that there are more certificated teachers than are necessary, and it may be hoped that as the facts as to the need for more teachers becomes generally realised, the number of candidates will return to its normal level.
§ Mr. HOAREIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these sudden changes are due to the vacillating policy embodied in successive regulations of the Board of Education?
§ Mr. J. PEASENo, Sir.