HC Deb 06 July 1961 vol 643 cc1638-9
22. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Education if he will consult with the Headmasters' Conference with a view to its limiting, during the next few years, its recruitment of mathematics and physics staff in favour of local education authorities' secondary schools.

Mr. K. Thompson

Last year my right hon. Friend consulted the Governing Bodies Associations about ways in which the independent schools might help during the national shortage of teachers. So far as mathematics and physics graduates are concerned there is a shortage in all kinds of grammar schools including independent schools, and the solution lies in an increased supply of graduates from the universities.

Mr. Boyden

But surely in many of these schools the conditions are very much more favourable than in some of the schools adversely affected, and surely it would be helpful for them to make a gesture towards the maintained schools?

Mr. Thompson

I have no evidence that independent schools make appointments which are in any way to be regarded as unnecessary.