§ 28. Mr. Kenneth Lindsayasked the Minister of Education why, in view of the grave shortage of women teachers and the increased number of children in infant schools, there is no accommodation in training colleges for over 1,000 young women willing to teach and anxious to enter college; and what action is now contemplated.
§ Mr. TomlinsonTwo year training facilities are being expanded as rapidly as possible and 5,300 women students were admitted in 1947, as compared with about 3,000 before the war. It is planned to increase the number of admissions this year to about 6,000 and to effect a further substantial increase in 1949, as more Emergency College buildings can he made available.
§ Mr. LindsayWill the right hon. Gentleman consider diverting some of the present buildings, as the situation is so serious? Is not 1949 a bit late?
§ Mr. TomlinsonWe are converting buildings as speedily as possible but we cannot close a college in the middle of a session, and turn it over as a permanent training college for teachers. We are turning buildings over as quickly as we can, following the end of a session.