HC Deb 23 July 1953 vol 518 cc587-8
43. Mr. Remnant

asked the Minister of Education what evidence she has to explain the causes for the decline in the intake of graduates into the teaching profession; and what steps she proposes to take in order to correct this position.

Miss Horsbrugh

There has been no such decline in recent years. In each of the last four years, there has been a net increase in the number of graduate teachers employed in grant-aided schools and establishments, with a greater increase in 1951–52 than in the three previous years.

I would also refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Faversham (Mr. P. Wells) on 25th June last.

Mr. Remnant

Will my right hon. Friend look at the intake into secondary schools? Does she not agree that there is a considerable shortage of graduates, particularly science and mathematics graduates, because the majority of such graduates are going into industry and not to the teaching profession?

Miss Horsbrugh

Certainly, we do want to get more graduates for science and mathematics, and I am glad to say that there has been an increase—not a decrease. I quite agree that the more we can attract these graduates to teaching the better, but I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that in 1950–51 there was a net increase in the number of graduates of 1,400, and, in 1951–52, a net increase of 1,800