§ 36. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many approved schools are managed by Focal authorities and how many by voluntary organisations; and what is the number of pupils in each category.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteOf the twenty-two approved schools in Scotland, two are managed by Glasgow education authority and the remainder by voluntary organisations. On 24th January, there were 169 boys in the two authority schools, and 1,151 boys and 243 girls in the other schools.
§ Mr. HannanDo not those figures show the total inadequacy of the present accommodation for such young people? What action has the Minister in view to meet the recently-issued Regulations, and the conditions of accommodation and the provision of teachers for these children?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteThere has been a great increase in committals during the year, which has admittedly led to deficiencies in certain categories. There is a responsibility on authorities to take steps to remove deficiencies, and we hope that further accommodation will become available during the coming year.
§ Mr. G. M. ThomsonIs the Under-Secretary aware that some of these voluntary bodies are self-appointed, and sometimes not very representative of the local communities they serve? What steps is he taking to make sure, for instance, of the implementation of earlier recommendations that local authority representatives should be on these voluntary bodies?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteIn nearly all cases there are enough education authority representatives on the voluntary bodies.
§ 37. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the qualifications he proposes for headmasters and teachers in approved schools to comply with his recent Regulations.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteMy right hon. Friend does not propose to lay down specific qualifications, since staffing 1091 requirements of individual schools depend on the age, sex and personal needs of the pupils; but he would expect all teaching posts to be filled, wherever possible, by persons holding appropriate teaching qualifications. For senior appointments requiring his prior approval, he would attach great importance to personal qualities together with appropriate experience in education or social and youth service.
§ Mr. HannanHow many of these schools at present have headmasters who possess such qualifications? Would not the Under-Secretary agree that, in addition to those teaching qualifications, such headmasters should hold a social sciences certificate?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteI should like notice of the hon. Gentleman's last point. As to senior appointments, we are very well satisfied with the staff we have available at the present time.