§ 32. Mr. MacArthurasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will make a further statement about the shortage of secondary teachers in 1972–73 and in the years immediately thereafter.
Mr. Edward TaylorMy right hon. Friend hopes to do so before the end of this year when various studies being undertaken by his Department have been completed.
§ Mr. MacArthurIs my hon. Friend aware that although recent figures show there may have been a welcome but marginal improvement in the position, some questions must be asked about the seriousness of his belief that we can responsibly raise the school-leaving age throughout Scotland in the light of the serious teacher shortage in certain areas?
Mr. TaylorMy hon. Friend rightly says that the figures which my right hon. Friend gave in an answer on 29th March are very encouraging. The position is that most education authorities should have little difficulty in coping with the demands imposed by the raising of the 440 age but I recognise that a few of them are likely to have serious problems. I will do all I can to see that the understaffed areas get a fair share of the increased supply of teachers.
§ Mr. BuchanSurely the hon. Member realises that nowhere in Scotland is there any sense, in educational circles, that the Government are seized of the importance of this problem? Is he relying on the mounting unemployment figures, especially among graduates and skilled workers, to supply the deficiency? How many have applied since the Rolls-Royce crisis for admission to Jordanhill Training College?
Mr. TaylorThe hon. Gentleman's question is outrageous. We have inherited a situation in which we have a serious teacher shortage. We have taken many steps to help. As for the hon. Member's question about Rolls-Royce, he must be aware of the endeavours made by the Department to harness all the energies and skills which will be available.