§ 41. Mr. Kenneth Lindsayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish teachers are presently serving in the forces; and what percentage their number forms of the total male-teaching profession.
Mr. JohnstonAs the answer includes a table of figures I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the table:
§ The latest date for which complete figures are available is 31st March, 1943, when the position was as follows:
| — | Men | Women | Total |
| (i) Serving with H.M. Forces | 2,186* | 32 | 2,218 |
| (ii) Engaged in other forms of war service which are accepted for the purposes of the Education (Scotland) (War Service Superannuation) Act, 1939, and the Superannuation Scheme for Teachers (Scotland), 1926 | 39 | 297 | |
| 2,444 | 71 | 2,515 | |
| * This number represents just over 25 per cent. of the total male teachers at 31st March, 1943. It does not include 82 teachers who were known to be serving with H.M. Forces at that date, but who had not been employed in teaching immediately prior to entering on such service. |
§ 42. Mr. Lindsayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he has made for emergency training courses for prospective teachers; how many men and women in the services are taking correspondence courses organised by Scottish training departments; and what other steps he is taking to make known among the services the claims and needs of the Scottish teaching profession.
Mr. JohnstonA Central Selection Board has been set up by the National Committee for the Training of Teachers to consider applications for admission to the teaching profession in Scotland from men and women in the Services, or in commerce or industry, and the nature of the courses to be followed. A series of correspondence courses for Service men and women has been arranged by the War Office in association with the Ministry of Education and the Scottish Education Department. These courses are available to Navy, Army and Air Force personnel. A joint leaflet relating to the emergency recruitment and training of teachers was drawn up in May last for distribution to personnel of the Army Educational Corps and those in similar posts in the other Services. A further 1037 and more detailed leaflet dealing with conditions in the teaching profession in Scotland is in course of preparation and will be made available to members of the Services and the public generally.
§ Mr. LindsayWill the right hon. Gentleman see that the additional leaflet for Scotland is made an attractive one and not just be rather formal notice which has already been sent from the War Office?