HC Deb 08 July 1943 vol 390 cc2238-9
24. Mr. Lipson

asked the President of the Board of Education how many additional teachers would be required if all classes in elementary and secondary schools were reduced to a maximum of 3o pupils?

Mr. Butler

To make a close estimate would require an examination of the accommodation and staffing of every elementary and secondary school in the country; even an approximate estimate would have to be based on statistics which, owing to the necessity of reducing unessential work to a minimum, have not been collected during the period of the war. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to give my hon. Friend the information he desires.

Mr. Lipson

Is it the policy of my right hon. Friend to try to bring about this reform as soon as practicable after the war, and, if that is so, is it not necessary to take the matter into consideration now?

Mr. Butler

It will be very difficult to obtain exact statistics, but we are already taking steps to get the necessary teachers.

Mr. Sorensen

Could not the President of the Board of Education, get approximate statistics, if not of the present situation, then based upon the pre-war figures, and taking account of events since that time?

Mr. Butler

I looked into that before deciding upon my reply, but I thought that that method would not be reliable now.

Mr. Edmund Harvey

How will it be possible to take steps to get the necessary teachers if the Minister has not even an approximate idea of the number he wants?

Mr. Butler

The first step is to enlarge the number of teachers who will be required.

Mr. McEntee

What steps are now being taken?