HC Deb 11 June 1953 vol 516 cc439-40
33. Mr. C. Hughes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of science graduates leaving universities and comparable establishments in 1952 entered the teaching profession, commerce and industry, and Government service, respectively; and what were the comparative figures in 1938.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)

Of the internal graduates of universities and university colleges in pure science in 1952 whose occupations are known, 11.1 per cent. entered the teaching profession (including universities, schools and colleges), 24.4 per cent. industry and commerce and 10.6 per cent. Government service, at home or overseas, or nationalised industry. A further 15 per cent. went on to undertake teacher training courses.

I regret that comparable figures are not available for 1938.

Mr. Hughes

Is it not a fact that the number of science graduates now entering the teaching profession is deplorably low? Will the Minister consult the Minister of Education to see what can be done to improve the position?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

My right hon. Friend is in constant touch with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Education. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that it is an important question, which has to be carefully watched.

Mr. Chetwynd

Is not the real difficulty the disparity in salary between that for the graduates entering the teaching profession and that for those entering industry and commerce?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

That opens up a number of very wide questions which it is not perhaps particularly convenient to deal with by Question and answer.