HC Deb 28 July 1966 vol 732 c1877
23. Mr. Longden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the permitted staffing ratio for schools of over 1,000 pupils.

Mr. Crosland

I do not prescribe staffing ratios for any size of school.

Mr. Longden

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Hertfordshire Education Authority is under the impression that he has allotted a higher number of full-time teachers for large schools with more than 1,000 pupils? If he has, can he confirm that they will be used for teaching and not, as the Hertfordshire Education Authority understands, to deal with the complicated administrative problems which arise' in such schools?

Mr. Crosland

With respect, I think that the hon. Gentleman is muddling two things. One is the quota of teachers between different authorities which we try to allocate from the Department. This is based on a number of different criteria, on the type of school, and so on. I think that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the quota which goes to the Hertfordshire Education Authority as a whole. What that Authority decides about staffing any school is entirely a matter for it, and not for us.