§ 12. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Education the present shortage of teachers in the County of Essex; what steps are being taken to meet the problem of the shortage during the next four years; and what reply he has given to the representations made to him on this matter by the Essex County Council.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydThe authority's quota for January, 1959, is 10,650 and on 1st October it was 341 short. The Government have announced that the training colleges for teachers are to be expanded by some 50 per cent., and I shall continue to do all I can to help individual authorities get their proper share of the available teachers. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of my reply to the authority's representations.
§ Mr. SorensenWhile one appreciates the prospective increase in teachers after a number of years, may I point out that that does not help the immediate situation? Has the Minister any ideas as to how the immediate situation can be met?
§ Mr. LloydFigures show that Essex has gained 331 teachers as compared with the position a year earlier, so the tendency is towards improvement.