§ 26. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Education how many men and women applicants, respectively, for admission to training colleges in September, 1960, have not yet secured places; and how many places in training colleges still remain vacant for this date.
§ Sir D. EcclesAbout a thousand places, two thirds of them for women, have not yet been filled. I am glad to say that the number of candidates still being considered is substantially higher but I have no precise figure.
§ Mr. BoydenMay I ask two supplementary questions? Would the right hon. Gentleman consider sending out another circular to training college principals asking them to make more arrangements for boarding out teachers and, on his side, providing a staff ratio of one in ten and finance to deal with the matter? Will he make arrangements in the 250-odd surplus places in domestic science colleges for the boarding of ordinary teachers and for their teaching?
§ Sir D. EcclesIn reply to the first part of that supplementary question, I have asked training colleges to do their best and I anticipate that they will be taking a record number this year. That is very good, considering how full they were last year. In reply to the second part of the supplementary question, I am obliged to the hon. Member for the suggestion and I shall look into it.
§ Mr. GreenwoodWhen will the right hon. Gentleman let us know the details of his plan to provide an additional 8,000 educational places in training colleges, and what form that will take? Will it be in the form of a White Paper or a statement in this House?
§ Sir D. EcclesI am sorry, but I am not ready yet. I am working on it, but it is a very big operation to provide 8,000 places on top of the 16,000 which we are planning now.