§ 3. Mr. K. Lindsayasked the Minister of Education whether he will give a reasonable assurance that the men accepted for emergency training colleges, some of whom are compelled to wait a further 12 months for admission, will find employment within the public system of education; on what building estimates the present recruitment policy has been based; and whether he will now establish a central training council to advise him on the supply and training of teachers, as recommended by the McNair Report.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI shall be in a better position to give assurances on this point when the necessary discussions with representatives of local education authorities and teachers' organisations have been completed. Recruitment policy is based on estimates of the establishments required for the increase in the school population due to the raising of the age and the larger birthrate in recent years, for a reduction in the size of classes to the limits prescribed by the regulations, and for some increase in provision for children under the age of five. It is not determined by estimate of what new school buildings will be provided within the next few years. As my predecessor explained last December, it has not been practicable to set up a Central Council for Teachers on a permanent footing until the area organisation contemplated by the McNair Report is in being. She, therefore, appointed an interim committee to give advice on questions relating to the supply, recruitment and distribution of teachers. I am sending my hon. Friend a list of its members.
§ Mr. LindsayAs my right hon. Friend is aware of the many ex-Servicemen awaiting admission to colleges, will he speed up the policy of secondment, so that more teachers can be used in the Services, Colonial Services and overseas, and thus help to retain trained teachers within the public system of education?
§ Mr. TomlinsonAll these things are being examined with a view to accomplishing what the hon. Gentleman has in mind.