§ 13. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Education why she reduced the allocation of teachers for West Ham for the current year from 581 to 577, in view of the education committee's desire to extend this figure to 617; and whether, in view of the difficulties confronting this authority, she will reconsider the borough education committee's request for an additional allocation.
§ Miss HorsbrughAs the supply of women teachers is inadequate to meet the needs of all authorities, my Department, on the advice of the National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers, fixes maximum establishments for each authority so as to secure fair distribution of the teachers available. West Ham's quota for the current year is 581, but the authority have not been able to recruit up to this figure. The revised figure of 577 for the next school year will permit the authority to employ more women teachers than they have at present.
§ Mr. LewisWhile thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether, if the council are by some means or other able to get additional teachers—the Minister agrees that there is a national shortage of this type of teacher—she would then agree to review the council's application to have the quota extended to their original figure of 617?
§ Miss HorsbrughAt present, I am told, their number is 572 and the suggested quota is 577. They have not got the 577, and I think, therefore, that at the moment I can say no more on the subject.
§ Mr. LewisThe right hon. Lady has perhaps misunderstood my question. If the council reach the quota of 577 that she has now given, will she then further review their need to put up the number to 617? In other words, may I take it that she has not finally rejected their request for the 617?
§ Miss HorsbrughI am working on the advice of the National Advisory Council on this scheme. I do not say that the number need never be altered, but at present it is only fair that we should keep to this distribution scheme.