HC Deb 26 May 1960 vol 624 cc666-7
24. Mr. Montgomery

asked the Minister of Education the number of men who have left the teaching profession to take up other work in each of the last five years.

Sir D. Eccles

The first years for which figures are available are the two years ending March, 1958, in which 4,750 men left contributory teaching service other than on grounds of age or infirmity. In the same period 2,100 returned. Figures for later years are not yet available.

Mr. Montgomery

Does not the Minister feel that those figures give cause for concern? Would not he agree that one of the great grievances of men leaving the teaching profession is the small salary paid to them, and has he any plans for rectifying this situation?

Sir D. Eccles

I cannot agree with my hon. Friend. As a matter of fact, these wastage figures are very good, because, as my hon. Friend will know, a large number of teachers leave contributory service in order to teach in independent schools.

Dr. King

Can the Minister give comparable figures regarding women teachers who have left the profession? Can he assure the House that the proportion of men to women teachers remaining in the profession has increased during the period?

Sir D. Eccles

Without notice, I cannot give the figure for women, but the wastage figure is much greater than for men. It is true that the proportion of men in service has steadily increased. The number of men teaching has increased by 14 per cent. since 1956.