§ 25. Mr. 3. E. B. Hillasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to recruit more men into the teaching profession.
§ Miss BaconI want to see recruited more of the best teachers, men or women. One effect of current increases in the provision of training places for graduates will be to increase the proportion of men in training. My campaign to recruit more graduates in science and mathematics should also help.
§ Mr. HillIn view of the need to increase the proportion of men, particularly graduates, is there not a case for reconstituting the National Advisory Council on the recruitment and training or teachers or some equivalent body?
§ Miss BaconThat is one point, but I remind the hon. Gentleman that the numbers of men recruited to 3-year training courses have increased substantially from 7,133 in 1964 to 10,670 in 1968; so it is way ahead of what was forecast some time ago.
§ Sir E. BoyleDoes not the right hon. Lady recognise that there is growing bewilderment and annoyance at the Government's failure to replace the old National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers? Could she undertake that she or her right hon. Friend will try to make a statement on the subject before long?
§ Miss BaconI could not give the right hon. Gentleman that undertaking, but we are setting up a Teachers Council, and we shall have to see how that goes in the context of what he has in mind.