HC Deb 08 May 1935 vol 301 c961
26. Mr. LEONARD

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the number of administrative grade officials under his jurisdiction; the universities in which they were educated; and the same details covering inspectors, with, in the latter case, the extent of actual school experience required of them; and whether elementary schools are included in this experience?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)

The number of officers employed in the administrative grades under the Board of Education is 61. Of these 30 are graduates of Oxford, 15 graduates of Cambridge, four graduates of other universities, and 12 are non-graduates. The present establishment of inspectors of all grades is 358, of whom 250 followed full-time university courses—81 at Cambridge, 58 at Oxford, 39 at London, 25 in Wales and 47 at other universities. Certain of these officers attended more than one university. In addition, a number of other officers hold external university degrees. Suitable teaching experience is looked for among other qualifications in candidates for the inspectorate, the average teaching experience of the present staff being 11.4 years; 169 inspectors have previous teaching experience in elementary schools of an average duration of 10.3 years.

Viscountess ASTOR

Is there any sex ban in the case of the appointment of these inspectors; and, if a woman inspector happens to get married, is it a disqualification?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

I must have notice of that question.