HC Deb 19 February 1948 vol 447 cc1316-7
27. Mr. Ralph Morley

asked the Minister of Education the number of classes with between 40 and 50 pupils on the register, and the number with 50 and over on the register in the schools under his jurisdiction in Birmingham.

Mr. Tomlinson

There were, in maintained and assisted primary and secondary schools in Birmingham, on 9th February last, 2,036 classes with between 40 and 50 pupils on the registers, and 543 classes with 50 and over on the registers.

Mr. Morley

What assistance and advice are the Ministry giving to the Birmingham education authority with a view to helping them secure an improvement of the very bad state of affairs now existing, and a reduction in the size of classes in that city?

Mr. Tomlinson

I recognise that the position is serious in Birmingham, and I have been reviewing the matter with the Teachers' Interim Committee. A meeting of the special working party which has been set up to deal with the matter is to be held on Monday, and I shall not hesitate to take any steps which I think are practicable to secure the necessary improvement.

Mr. Lipson

Will one of the steps be the restarting of the Emergency Training Scheme for Teachers?

Mr. Tomlinson

That would not assist in the immediate—and it is an immediate—difficulty. I would point out that the position in Birmingham is very exceptional.

Sir P. Hannon

Is there any reflection on the capacity and efficiency of the Birmingham Education Committee?

Mr. Tomlinson

Not in the least.

Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider what has been done in Oldham and elsewhere, where an appeal has been made to part-time teachers and married women?

Mr. Tomlinson

That has already been done by the Director of Education for Birmingham.