HC Deb 07 May 1970 vol 801 cc561-2
23. Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the amount of rate support grant for 1970–71 takes into account all the newly-trained teachers expected to be available for employment in that year.

Mr. Edward Short

The teachers available for service later this year are likely to exceed the number envisaged during the 1968 negotiations with the local authority associations. But since the rate support grant is related to the whole range of local authority services its total amount was affected by many other factors as well. The negotiations for the next R.S.G. period, which begins in April, 1971, will take account of the most up-to-date forecast of teacher numbers, including those taken into employment during 1970. Thus, the second half of the school year beginning in September is still negotiable so far as rate support grant is concerned.

Mr. Morrison

When will the right hon. Gentleman be able to provide new figures for local education authorities? If he cannot tell them in the near future what extra aid they will receive in the light of the increase in teachers clearly they will have considerable problems.

Mr. Short

The quotas have been given out with the agreement of local authorities, and all the indications are that they will be fully taken up. I do not think that there will be any problem.

Mr. Christopher Price

Does my right hon. Friend agree that because of the mono-technic nature of the colleges of education, and the fact that teachers cannot easily obtain jobs elsewhere, he has a very special responsibility to ensure that all teachers get a job in the year after they leave college? Will he bear in mind the possible lifting of the quota if there seems to be any unemployment round about September and October?

Mr. Short

I agree that I have a special responsibility in view of the mono-technic training of teachers, which I do not like. I hope that eventually we can move away from it. I keep this matter constantly under review. If any local authority wishes to have an increased quota because of special difficulties I shall be very happy to consider it. I think that the quota is necessary for some time to come to ensure an equitable distribution of teachers throughout the country.