HC Deb 26 January 1966 vol 723 cc200-1
24. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will frame regulations to ensure that, from a date to be determined in consultation with the appropriate bodies, all male applicants for teaching posts must possess a university degree or its equivalent in the case of certain specialist teachers.

Mr. Ross

As matters stand, certificated men teachers must normally be graduates or hold appropriate specialist qualifications.

Mr. Rankin

But is it not the fact that male teachers are not nowadays required to be graduates? Does my right hon. Friend realise that teachers have long contended that male teachers should be graduates? Would it not act as a stimulus to recruitment to the new universities if my right hon. Friend endorsed this claim by teachers?

Mr. Ross

The position for male teachers is graduate status or a specialist qualification which is the equivalent of graduate status. That has worked satisfactorily in the past.