§ 51. Mr. MYERSasked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that from 18 of the principal training colleges in England and Wales 808 students are leaving at the end of July and that out of this number 143 ex-service and 192 other students are unplaced and whether he can state what action is being taken to find positions for these students?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher)I have no knowledge of the figures mentioned in the question, but I have received representations from various quarters which show that students leaving the training colleges this summer are finding greater difficulty in obtaining appointments prospectively than has been the case in recent years. There is no doubt that the number of vacancies occurring this year is likely to be smaller than usual, owing to the reduction of the teaching staffs which is now being effected by local education authorities in view of the present need for economy. On the other hand, many authorities are taking steps to substitute young teachers for married women who are not dependent on teaching for a livelihood, and I hope that many students who have not yet obtained promises of appointments will succeed in obtaining employment in the course of the autumn. It is not, of course, within the power of the Board 16 to find posts for individual teachers, but I am sure that local education authorities will do all that is possible in existing circumstances to find employment for the students in question, and in particular for those students from their own areas who were encouraged by them to enter the teaching profession.
§ Mr. MYERSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been stated in the Press that there are over 2,000 students leaving the colleges in the country in July, for whom no places have been found, and can he say whether that statement is accurate?
§ Mr. FISHERI was not aware of that statement. I cannot say without notice whether it is accurate. Perhaps the hon. Member would like to put down a question.