HC Deb 12 March 1969 vol 779 cc1355-6
16. Mr. Adam Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers received in-service teacher training since 1964 to the latest convenient date; and what were the comparable figures for a similar period up to October, 1964.

Mr. Millan

During the period 1964–68 about 59,500 teachers attended in-service courses and conferences provided by colleges of education. The comparable figure for the period 1960–64 was about 25,000. I do not have information about attendance at courses provided by other agencies.

Mr. Hunter

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that there is a substantial incentive for teachers to attend this type of retraining? Does he not think that the subsistence and travel allowances could be higher?

Mr. Millan

I have not had representations about that. Teachers can go to certain courses on secondment, with full salary. There are special pooling arrangements which allow that to be done without it falling as a charge on the education authority, concerned. In all this, the position at the moment is really satisfactory.