HC Deb 26 June 1952 vol 502 cc2407-8
3. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Education what steps she is taking to ensure that persons not in possession of qualifications equivalent to those given in Schedule II of the Training of Teachers Regulations are not admitted to the training colleges.

Miss Horsbrugh

Under the Regulations which the hon. Member mentions, it is open to area training organisations to allow exceptions to the general rule restricting admission to candidates possess- ing one of the qualifications listed in Schedule II, and I see no reason to deprive them of this discretion.

Mr. Thomas

Will the Minister give an assurance that, despite the very serious problem that faces her of obtaining sufficient recruits to the teaching profession, she will not seek to solve this problem by lowering the standards of entry to the profession?

Miss Horsbrugh

Certainly. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the area training organisations, who make the exceptions, have representatives of university training colleges, local education committees and representatives of members of the teaching profession. I think the hon. Member can leave it to them.

Mr. Thomas

May I thank the right hon. Lady for the most pleasant answer she has given me for a very long time?

Sir W. Smithers

Is it not a fact that, owing to the unbelievable mess left by the Socialist Government, the first social service must be food? What is the good of having pupils and teachers in schools if they have nothing to eat?

Miss Horsbrugh

I hope that we shall have schools, teachers, and food.