§ 75. Mr. SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state how many inspectors of the Scottish Education Department there are in Scotland and the areas they supervise; by whom are they appointed; on what terms with regard to pensions and age limit; and what is the total annual cost of the inspectorate department for salaries and expenses, respectively?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. William Adamson)The number of Inspectors provided for on the establishment of the Scottish Education Department is at present 63. I am arranging to send the hon. Member official publications containing the information he desires with regard to the distribution, appointment and terms of service of these officers. The amounts 429 paid in salaries and expenses on account of inspection in the year ended 31st March, 1930, were £51,494 and £10,273 respectively.
§ 76. Mr. SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to the Annual Report of the Central Executive of the National Committee for the Training of Teachers, recently issued, showing that, of the students who left training centres and colleges in June, 1929, over 500 were still unemployed in January, 1930, and that it was probable that 1,200 of those who left at 30th June, 1930, would also be unemployed until the school-leaving age is raised; whether, in view of this excessive number of teachers, he will modify the junior student scheme of the Education Department; what steps he proposes to take to deal with the 1,700 already unemployed and the large number who are at present in training and will complete training in the next triennial period; and whether, even after the school age is raised, it will be necessary for the students to go back to training college to qualify under Articles 6 and 39?
§ Mr. W. ADAMSONThe figures given in the report referred to hardly bear the interpretation placed upon them by the hon. Member. The present oversupply of teachers is not due to the operation of the Scheme of preliminary school training and the question of modifying that Scheme does not therefore arise. The situation in regard to the unemployment of teachers who have completed their training is not one over which the Department have control. The requirement of additional qualifications by individual teachers is entirely voluntary on their part and will continue to be so.
§ Mr. SCOTTDoes the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate that there is a great deal of hardship among the 17,000 junior pupil teachers in Scotland, many of whom are young girls, and does he not realise the desirability of endeavouring to find situations for them?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI appreciate the hardship and have shown so in my reply.
Miss LEEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider a reduction in the size of classes, which will both help the unemployed 430 teacher and facilitate the work of the child?
§ 77. Mr. SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state who are the present members of the Lords of the Committee of the Privy Council appointed for education in Scotland or of the Scottish Education Department, and when they were appointed; also the composition and the number of the staff of the Department; and under what regulations the powers of the Department over the education committees of the county and town councils are regulated?
§ Mr. W. ADAMSONThe Lords of the Committee of Council on Education in Scotland are the Lord President of the Council, the Secretary of State for Scotland, the First Lord of the Treasury, the Lord Advocate, the Right Hon. Lord Craigmyle. In the first four cases the appointment is held by virtue of office, The Right Hon. Lord Craigmyle was appointed on 13th August, 1920. For details as to the composition of the staff of the Scottish Education Department I would refer the hon. Member to the particulars furnished in the Estimate, Class IV, Vote 10. The powers of the Department as the central administrative authority for education in Scotland are exercised mainly under the terms of the Education (Scotland) Acts, 1872–1928, and the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, or under the terms of minutes, codes and regulations made in pursuance of those Acts. Powers are also conferred and duties imposed upon the Department in a number of other Acts.
§ Mr. MAXTONCan the Secretary of State assure us that the last-mentioned Commissioner—I think he mentioned Lord Craigmyle—is really assiduous in attention to his duties?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI understand so.
§ Sir FREDERICK THOMSONWhen was the last meeting of the Committee held?
§ Mr. ADAMSONThat question had better be put on the Paper.
§ Mr. BUCHANANFor how long is Lord Craigmyle appointed? Is it for life or for a definite period?
§ Mr. MAXTONCan the Secretary of State tell us—this is well within his own 431 knowledge—whether he himself, as one of the Lords of the committee, has ever met Lord Craigmyle, another member of the committee?