HC Deb 20 December 1945 vol 417 cc1511-3
9. Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that many applicants from the Services to be teachers are being discouraged by the long delay in receiving from her Department any thing but a formal acknowledgment of the receipt of the application; and whether she will take steps to ensure that matters are speeded up.

Miss Wilkinson

The rate at which applications are being dealt with has been greatly improved over the past month or two and is still improving. Steps are being taken to reduce the interval between submission of applications and announcement of the Ministry's decisions. As the hon. Member is aware, the difficulty is chiefly one of manpower.

Mr. Lipson

Can my right hon. Friend say what time she now anticipates will elapse between the receipt of an application and an interview or acceptance of that application?

Miss Wilkinson

It is utterly impossible to reply on a matter of that kind, because these are not standard things going through a sausage machine; we are dealing with individuals. In some cases,delays are longer than in others. All I can say is that my Department is extremely conscious of the necessity for reducing delays, but, at the same time, we are dealing with an ever-increasing flow of applications which, I was surprised to learn last night, has now reached 1,500 per week.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Does not the right hon. Lady find this increasing flow of applicants very satisfactory indeed?

Miss Wilkinson

I do. I am delighted, but at the same time I must repeat that I am not working a sausage machine; I am dealing with individuals who are being brought into a highly important profession.

Mr. George Thomas

Is it the custom of the right hon. Lady's Department to acknowledge the applications sent in from people in the Services who want to be put on the list?

Miss Wilkinson

I know we ought to do that, but I ask hon. Members to realise that, when dealing with the enormous quantity that we have to deal with, even a formal acknowledgment takes time — it is another step, and practically the least important. I really must ask people to be sensible and to realise that they may not get an acknowledgment of their applications by return of post. We are trying to do our best in a difficult situation, with an immense problem of manpower and accommodation. People must realise that.

10. Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Education how many applicants from the services to become teachers, whose applications were made six weeks ago or earlier, had, on 17th December, not yet been summoned to an interview; and how many had not by that date been told if their applications had been successful or not.

Miss Wilkinson

I regret that to obtain this information would impose a great deal of additional labour on interviewing boards and headquarters staff which would not be justifiable in present circumstances.

Mr. Lipson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that as a result of these delays many people in the Services who would have liked to become teachers have now decided that they will not pursue the matter?

Miss Wilkinson

I know it is undesirable and unfortunate, and I tell the House again that we are doing our best. We cannot do it any quicker. I have gone into this matter with the greatest care with officials who are doing an extremely good job, and I am afraid the House will have to take my word for it that we are doing our best.

Mr. Piratin

Does the right hon. Lady appreciate that a courteous explanation to each individual applicant would assist him in maintaining his present status quo until such time as he is accepted as a teacher?