HC Deb 21 December 1966 vol 738 cc1408-10
30. Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that rates of grant are adequate for those entering teacher training under the special recruitment scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Millan

My right hon. Friend has no evidence that the current rates of grant under the Special Recruitment Scheme are inadequate, and he has no proposals at present for increasing them.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Is not the hon. Member aware that men who have held responsible positions outside teaching and who have family commitments can suffer financial hardship on entering teacher training? Does he not agree that it is most undesirable that this should happen at a time when there is a great need for good people to enter the teaching profession?

Mr. Millan

I do not agree with that. The grants are related to the circumstances of the prospective students. In the case of a married man with two children, for example, the grant might be £750 per year or it might be rather more, depending on age and other circumstances.

Mr. Buchan

Does not the Minister agree that there is a point of substance here, bearing in mind the need to recruit graduates from industry and commerce? Should he not consider paying another grant for the equivalent of the first year's salary that they would draw in teaching? Would he also look at other aspects of the scheme, particularly the imposition of the requirement of two "highers" for these people?

Mr. Millan

My hon. Friend's first suggestion has wide implications, because it would also have to be related to what happens to graduates who go to teacher training straight from university. It is a very big question. On the second point, we try to be as flexible and realistic as we can about initial qualifications, but it is not of any advantage to a prospective student to allow him in with qualifications which are seriously below standard, for the prospects then are that he will not be able to complete the course. We should not ask people to give up outside employment in those circumstances. We must strike a balance.

Mr. Noble

Does not the hon. Member think that if about £750 a year is the most that can be given, then the people we are likely to get from industry and other places who are suitable for this work are bound to suffer hardship because they will be making much more at the time in outside industry?

Mr. Millan

I did not say that £750 was the maximum. I quoted an instance and said that other people can get grants beyond that. The response to the special recruitment scheme last year was extremely good. We had more than 10,000 inquiries, and eventually 1,000 people seriously considered entry and 500 entered last year. The response to this year's publicity campaign has been equally good and we have already had several thousand inquiries.