§ 14. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Education what factors have caused the fall over the past few years in the rate of net increase in the number of full-time teachers in maintained and assisted schools.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe number of new appointments has continued to rise. The fall in the net increase since 1956 is due to more women teachers leaving to get married or to look after their children.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this increase in wastage is presenting very real difficulties and is likely to be aggravated in the next few years when we have wastage not only at the lower age level but at the higher age level, too? In view of this, will the right hon. Gentleman revise his estimates of the number of teachers required?
§ Sir D. EcclesI do indeed realise that the wastage is very serious, but I cannot answer the second part of the supplementary question without notice.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsCan my right hon. Friend say how many of the married teachers who left the service have come back and taken temporary places?
§ Sir D. EcclesWe have recruited about 2,200 married women since the campaign began at the beginning of the year.
Mr. WileyDoes the Minister realise that the relevant figure is the figure of the net increase and that this is the figure to which we have got to pay attention? If this is falling year by year, had not the right hon. Gentleman better revise his estimates of the number of teachers required?
§ Sir D. EcclesThis is a very difficult and complicated calculation which experience in the past has shown we never get right, and I therefore require a little time.