HC Deb 05 July 1962 vol 662 cc672-3
9. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make a statement on the raising of the school leaving age.

Sir D. Eccles

I am not yet ready to name a date for raising the school leaving age.

Mr. Willey

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that for years he has declared himself unable to face up to that position because there is a shortage of teachers? Is he aware that in the meantime the shortage of teachers has become worse and that what we want is some policy of Her Majesty's Government to deal with the acute crisis of teacher supply and also a favourable reply on the Crowther Report?

Sir D. Eccles

I am indeed aware that the shortage of teachers has got worse because of circumstances over which we have no control. We are therefore reconsidering the question of teacher supply.

Mr. Willey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for years we have been aware of this shortage of teachers, which will get far worse in the next few years, and what is he doing about it? What is the Council's advice on this? How many more places have we to provide in the training colleges and the universities?

Sir D. Eccles

If the hon. Gentleman has been aware for years that the birth rate was going up and that women teachers were leaving the schools in great numbers, he is more perspicacious than we have been. We are reconsidering the whole problem of teacher supply.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if he were to accede to the request of the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) he might well prejudice the position of primary schools, which is causing great anxiety to some of us, because of expense?

Sir D. Eccles

All these matters have to be taken into consideration.