HC Deb 08 July 1958 vol 591 cc177-8
13. Mr. Hannan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many oversize classes there were in all schools under his control for each of the years 1956 and 1957; and how many of such classes were in primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools.

Mr. Maclay

As the answer involves a list of figures, I shall, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hannan

Yes, but does the right hon. Gentleman confirm this general feature, that the percentage of oversize classes of the total number of classes in Scotland has increased in the last year and that, as is the view of the Committee on the supply of teachers, that tendency is likely to grow? What steps is he taking to meet it?

Mr. Maclay

The number of oversize secondary classes is almost certain to increase substantially as the large age groups of children born after the war pass into the secondary departments at the beginning of next session. The number of oversize primary classes is not likely to show signs of increase owing to the moving of teachers from one to another. The hon. Member will, of course, be aware of the efforts to improve the recruitment of teachers.

Following is the answer:

Oversize Classes 1956 1957
Total 2,351 2,602
Primary Departments 1,286 1,355*
Secondary Departments: First three years 737 894
Fourth and later years 83 108
* This increase was caused by the reduction in the maximum permitted size of classes in four-teacher schools from 45 to 35.