§ 32. Mr. Lindsayasked the President of the Board of Education, whether it is his intention to announce an emergency scheme for the training of future teachers?
§ Mr. ButlerThe Government have in mind the need for such a scheme, but I am not yet in a position to make any announcement.
§ Mr. LindsayWill my right hon. Friend consider asking the McNair Committee to make an interim report without prejudice to the more fundamental examination of this question?
§ Mr. ButlerI am not sure that that would be the best way to handle it. I do not want to disturb the work of that Committee as at present advised, but to give them the opportunity of presenting a full and final report when they are ready. As regards the decision which naturally the country wishes to know, I will keep in touch with the Minister of Labour and see whether at any time we can give an indication of what we have in mind for the demobilisation period.
§ Sir J. LambWhen my right hon. Friend is considering this question, will he see the necessity of providing teachers for technical education as against purely academic education?
§ Mr. ButlerThat is one of the most important necessities.
§ 33. Mr. Harveyasked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give an estimate of the present shortage of teachers and the adequacy of the numbers entering the training colleges; and what steps are being taken to encourage men and women now in the Forces to undertake a teaching career at the close of hostilities?
§ Mr. ButlerThe number of teachers now engaged in the schools in relation to the school population is not materially lower than it was before the war, thanks to the continued service of retired and married women teachers in the schools. The number of men students now in the training colleges is naturally very much less than it was before the operation of the National Service Acts, and there has been some falling off in the number of women in training for the profession. I am taking steps to encourage suitable men and 288 women in the Forces to turn their minds to teaching, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the matter.
§ Mr. LindsayWill my right hon. Friend carefully consider keeping married women teachers in schools after the war?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir.
§ Mr. HarveyWill these steps include the provision of bursaries for those who are now in the Forces?
§ Mr. ButlerThat is one of the methods of encouraging them to return to the teaching profession.