26. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pupils in Scotland were receiving part-time education at the latest date for which figures are available; and what percentage of this total was at Glasgow schools.
§ Mr. Millan11,785 in the week ending 30th May, of whom 55 per cent. were in Glasgow schools.
Mr. TaylorDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that Glasgow is still carrying far more than its fair share of part-time education? Will he at least give an assurance that he will bear these rather worrying statistics very much in mind when considering the possibility of teachers being suspended because of the G.T.C. issue?
§ Mr. MillanI do not think that the G.T.C. issue arises out of the Question, but the position in Glasgow is still worrying. The figures which I have just given for Glasgow are affected by a fairly large number in primary schools. This year there has been a change in arrangements. The second transfer to secondary schools has been discontinued, but there is still a second entry in primary schools, which means that there have been particular difficulties this year. I hope very much that they will not be repeated in subsequent years.
§ Mr. LawsonIs not a large part of the difficulty in Glasgow due to the fact 600 that a very substantial number of teachers prefer to teach in the agreeable areas and schools and will not go to the difficult areas where they would be very valuable?
§ Mr. MillanThat may be a factor. So far as it is, the scheme for inducement payments to which I referred previously is an important element in putting the question of distribution on a more satisfactory basis.