§ 14. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Education what was the number of first appointments made in primary schools this year; and how this compares with the corresponding figure for the previous year.
§ Sir E. BoyleOne thousand, three hundred and eighty-seven, compared with 6,464 in 1961. The decrease of 5,077 was a consequence of the reduction of the output of the training colleges, resulting from the introduction of the three-year course in 1960.
§ Mr. WilleyI appreciate the reason for this disastrous fall, but does the right hon. Gentleman accept that it is particularly unfortunate that this should have coincided with the first year of the second bulge entering primary schools? In view of this, will he make an immediate statement on his programme with regard to the training colleges, because the applications now for places in the training colleges are being considered? Unless he makes a statement immediately, it will not have any practical effect. We need a drastic increase in the number of those admitted to the training colleges.
§ Sir E. BoyleI have said in the House before that I personally think that the training colleges have had an outstanding achievement in admitting nearly 17,000 for this year, the year in which for the first time we have had three separate years of entry into the colleges. The figures of admissions next year will be bigger again than the admissions this year as our programme of expansion continues. With regard to those who have not got places, the fact that there are less than 1,000 people with first-class qualifications who have not got in is very much better than many of us would have dared to hope for some months ago.
§ Mr. WilleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we are dealing with the current year? Unless he makes a statement now, many applicants who would otherwise qualify for training college education will not get it. There is a burden upon him to make a statement now about the increase in the number of places at training colleges, otherwise the opportunity will be lost. We know, as he knows, that the bulge will continue for at least the next three or four years.
§ Sir E. BoyleI can certainly make the statement, as I have made it in the House before in answer to Questions, that we shall push ahead with the expansion programme which has already been planned as fast as we can.