§ 64. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Education whether she can give an estimate of the present shortage of science teachers in this country; and, in view of the accumulative bad consequences of this shortage in maintaining and developing high standards of technology in all branches of industry, what remedial action it is proposed to take in the near future.
§ Miss HorsbrughI cannot usefully add to the reply I gave on 21st February last to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, North (Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing).
§ Mr. JannerBut has the right hon. Lady not yet had an opportunity of reading the Fifth Annual Report of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy? Will she direct her attention to the serious 1663 state of affairs displayed by the report, particularly with regard to the recommendation that a considerable increase in the rate of recruitment for teachers—roughly from between 800 and 900 to 1,200–1,300 a year—is necessary, and what does she propose to do about it?
§ Miss HorsbrughIf the hon. Gentleman will look at my reply of 21st February, he will see what I propose to do about it.