HC Deb 12 July 1962 vol 662 cc1501-2
25. Mrs. Slater

asked the Minister of Education if it is proposed that girls leaving school and recruited as auxiliary helpers in primary schools should cease employment on marriage.

Sir D. Eccles

I know of no such proposal.

Mrs. Slater

In answer to a Question last week, the right hon. Gentleman said he hoped that recruitment—or one part of it, at any rate—would be amongst young girls who did not want to take up work in other fields but merely wanted a job until they got married. Is this the right attitude to take in recruiting young people for this kind of work? Will it not lead them to feel themselves to be in a blind alley job, suitable only for those who want to play around until marriage? Will the right hon. Gentleman try to correct the impression he gave last week?

Sir D. Eccles

I cannot believe that any such impression was created. Of course, if the girls who get married still want to go on working, we shall be very pleased, and no doubt there will, I hope, be a considerable number of older married women willing to be auxiliaries.

Mrs. Slater

I am sure that what I have said was the impression created last week. Does not this show how urgent it is that the right hon. Gentleman should let everyone know what he intends these people to do? There is general uncertainty about it in the teaching profession and generally amongst those interested in education. Will he not do something to show clearly what is intended for these auxiliaries?

Sir D. Eccles

The National Advisory Council for the Training and Supply of Teachers is urgently considering the details of this scheme. We had better wait —not very long—for it to make its recommendations.