HC Deb 13 January 1971 vol 809 cc58-9
32. Mr. James Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of primary school classes in Lanarkshire with more than 40 pupils.

Mr. Edward Taylor

I am asking the education authority to send the latest available information to the hon. Member.

Mr. Hamilton

In being told that the local authority concerned will send me the details, are we seeing a new trend on the part of Conservative Administrations? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that local authorities sometimes take as long as 11 weeks to reply to letters from hon. Members? Does he not feel that when an hon. Member tables a Question in this House he should be given a reply by the Minister responsible?

As for my Question, is the hon. Gentleman aware that the E.I.S., which is the main organisation representing the teaching profession, is making a strong plea for primary school classes not to exceed 30 pupils? May we be assured that the good work that was done by the Labour Government in this matter will be continued by the Conservatives and that more primary school teachers will be obtained?

Mr. Taylor

The recruitment of teachers is the responsibility of the local authority concerned and that is why I am asking it to send the latest available information to the hon. Gentleman. I am sure that there will be no undue delay.

As for the general supply of teachers, the position is improving in primary schools. This year about 2,500 primary school teachers left colleges of education compared with only 1,400 five years ago. A further improvement is expected. I hope that the measures which we have taken to improve distribution will ensure that a good number of these teachers will go to Lanarkshire, where I agree they are needed.