§ 22. Mr. Boydenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present shortage of schoolmasters and of housemasters in approved schools.
§ Miss PikeIn schools under voluntary management there are vacant at present 23 teaching posts out of a total authorised establishment of 350; 30 instructors' posts out of 344; 32 housemasters' posts out of 195; and 6 housemistresses' posts out of 39. Similar figures for schools managed by local authorities are not readily available, but I have no reason to think that the proportion of vacancies to authorised posts is materially different in these schools.
§ Mr. BoydenIs not one of the difficulties with instructors and housemasters the inadequate career prospects? Will the hon. Lady look at this and consider whether something could be done to improve the situation?
§ Miss PikeI would not agree that one of the difficulties is the inadequate career prospects, because there are adequate recruits coming forward. In 1524 the past we have been short of training facilities, but this has now been remedied.