HC Deb 05 February 1980 vol 978 cc226-7
11. Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether there are any proposals to offer financial incentives to attract scientists and mathematicians into the teaching profession; and, if so, what they are.

Dr. Boyson

My right hon. and learned Friend does not rule out that the Burnham committee might consider some form of differential financial incentive, although there are serious difficulties both of principle and of practice to be taken into account.

Mr. Winterton

I am grateful for that helpful and constructive reply, and I hope that the Burnham committee will look at the matter seriously. Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that our major competitive countries in the EEC, such as the Federal Republic of Germany, provide better conditions and pay for scientists, mathematicians and engineers? Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that if we are to get the right quality of teachers in those subjects we must pay them the right wage?

Dr. Boyson

It is open to local education authorities, if they so wish, to appoint suitably qualified teachers to posts in the shortage subjects on a salary scale above scale I.

Mr. Hooley

Is the Minister aware that there is a shortage of mathematics teachers to meet all the demands of industry, commerce and the academic professions? Will he consider a high-powered scheme to second people with mathematical qualifications from industry to teach in schools that have a shortage in a particular subject?

Dr. Boyson

I welcome the hon. Gentleman's suggestion. Discussions are being held with the CBI along the lines mentioned. Our advertising campaign to attract more people to train and retrain in the shortage subjects was launched earlier this year, with 1,000 replies in the first week.