HC Deb 27 May 1954 vol 528 cc583-5
2. Mr. Morley

asked the Minister of Education how many of Her Majesty's inspectors reached the age of 60 years during 1953; and, of these, how many were retained in service after reaching the age of 60 years.

Miss Horsbrugh

Fourteen of Her Majesty's inspectors reached the age of 60 during 1953. Nine of them have by now retired at ages varying between 60 years 3 months and 61 years 2 months. The remaining five are still in service.

Mr. Morley

Will the right hon. Lady look into the question of the early retirement of Her Majesty's inspectors? Is she aware that one of them who was compulsorily retired at the age of 60 is now teaching in a modern secondary school? What sense is there in compelling a very able man like Sir Griffith Williams to retire at the age of 60 when he is at the height of his faculties and the crown of his experience?

Miss Horsbrugh

It is generally the aim of my Department, as in the Civil Service generally, to retain willing officers beyond the age of 60, but the retention of inspectors, as of other civil servants, depends on fitness and efficiency and considerations attaching to their particular posts. The man whom the hon. Member named was not an inspector. It is the case that some inspectors do retire and take up teaching.

17. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Minister of Education the total number of Her Majesty's inspectors; how many of these are inspecting independent schools; and what are her intentions regarding increasing the numbers of this last category

Miss Horsbrugh

There are 539 of Her Majesty's inspectors in England and Wales, most of whom may sometimes visit independent schools; none deals exclusively with them.

Mr. Johnson

Does the Minister think it would be a good thing to take some of those inspecting State schools, where many teachers feel that the inspectors' job is superfluous, and use them to inspect many of the small, inefficient, fee-paying, independent schools? Only in that way shall we ever implement Part III of the Butler Act.

Miss Horsbrugh

The inspection of independent schools is now going on. I would prefer to see the same body of inspectors inspecting maintained and independent schools. I think that that would give the right background. The very fact that before we can bring in Part III we have to inspect a school does not give the power to do what we can do if Part III had been brought in.

Mr. Harold Davies

When looking into the recruitment of the inspectorate of schools, will the right hon. Lady see that recruitment is made from those who have had practical teaching experience in all types of schools in preference to those who have had no such experience but have come straight to the inspectorate from university?

Miss Horsbrugh

If the hon. Member would like further details, perhaps he will put a Question on the Order Paper. I think that most hon. Members would agree that on the whole the recruitment of the inspectorate has been well done and our inspectors are very much looked up to throughout the country.