§ 13. Mr. Bidwellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will give her estimate of manpower targets for full time youth and community work posts for 1973–75; and what are the estimates of filling such posts.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasLocal education authority returns giving the relevant figures for 1973 will not be available until March.
§ Mr. BidwellDoes the hon. Gentleman appreciate that there is grave anxiety amongst those engaged in youth and community work about being able to fulfil manpower needs for the future? Does he agree that youth and community work is a vital aspect of education work, and will he undertake to look at this matter very seriously?
§ Mr. St. John-StevasI agree that this is a most vital sphere of the education service. It is the responsibility of my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State. We are training more workers. About 160 youth service workers qualify each year on two-year full-time courses. In addition about 200 qualified teachers, graduates and others with relevant experience currently enter the profession in the course of a year.