§ 60. Mr. JOHNasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that at a recent inspection of schools made by the inspectors of the Education Department in the area of the Rhondda education authority the inspectors took exception to the number of class teachers employed in certain schools on the alleged ground that the number so employed was excessive; and whether, to avoid interference with the functions of the local education authority as the body responsible for the staffing of the school, and having regard to the number of class teachers at present unemployed, he will give instructions to the inspectors to desist from the line of conduct referred to?
Mr. WOODI do not know to what occasion the hon. Member is referring; but in any case I cannot accept the suggestion contained in the second part of the question. It is an important part of the duties of His Majesty's inspectors to call attention to cases of excessive staffing which, under the present system of 2743 grants, may place an undue burden on money provided out of taxes as well as that provided out of rates.