§ 14. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Education how many teachers were sent abroad on exchange with foreign teachers in the years 1955, 1961 and 1962, respectively.
§ Mr. ChatawayThe numbers under schemes sponsored by my Department were 103, 90 and 76. The corresponding figures under the scheme for assistants, who take groups for conversation in their own language, were 440, 689 and 699. Assistants are mainly students, but include some teachers.
§ Dr. KingIs the hon. Gentleman aware that exchanges with American and European teachers are of tremendous benefit to both foreign and British education and also in the interest of international friendship and understanding? Is it not regrettable that, although, as a result of an appeal some of us made, we have improved the financial conditions for the exchange of such teachers, the Minister has cut back the number steadily over the years? Will he look into the matter again and treat it in the generous way we are now beginning to treat the supply of teachers to the Commonwealth?
§ Mr. ChatawayI entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman about the beneficial effect of such exchanges. I think that the cut-back he refers to is applicable only to exchanges with America. He will notice that the number of assistants involved in such exchanges is rising very rapidly.