Shortage of Teachers

HC Deb 03 February 1953 vol 510 c1654

50. Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland his policy with regard to the shortage of teachers, in the light of the Second Report of the Departmental Committee on this subject.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

My right hon. Friend proposes in the first instance to have discussions with the representative bodies concerned.

Mr. MacPherson

Is it not clear to the hon. Gentleman that this question is a great deal wider than the bodies immediately concerned? Is it not quite clear also that one of the greatest economic assets of the country is the skill and competence of our people, and should he not confer with the Minister of Labour and his colleagues in the Government in order to make sure that this skill and confidence is nursed and maintained by a full and proper educational service?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, I do not disagree with that. All I said was that in the first instance we shall have the discussions I mentioned.