HC Deb 21 January 1970 vol 794 cc502-3
24. Mr. Eadie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the school population in the new town of Livingston; what is the teacher ratio; and what is the envisaged school population for the end of 1970?

Mr. Milian

I understand that on 13th January, 1970, the school population was 1,370 primary and 144 secondary pupils. The numbers of pupils per teacher were 32–6 and 14–8 respectively. The estimated school population at the end of 1970 is 2,170 primary and 400 secondary pupils.

Mr. Eadie

Is my hon. Friend aware that some disquiet has been expressed in the new town of Livingston about teacher shortage? Since it is primarily confined in the meantime—and I am sure it will be only temporary—to primary school teachers, will he nail the scare often raised, that we shall be likely to have a surplus of primary school teachers in Scotland?

Mr. Milian

There has been some difficulties about staffing, but I certainly hope that in a new town such as this these difficulties will be only temporary. We have a good way to go yet before we can talk in terms of a real surplus of primary teachers in Scotland.