§ 1. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the pupil to teacher ratio in primary schools in Wales at the most recent count; and how this compares with the ratio in 1978.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Michael Roberts)The ratio was 21.7 to 1 in January 1981 compared with 22.6 to 1 in January 1978.
§ Mr. KnoxDoes my hon. Friend agree that there has been satisfactory improvement in the pupil-teacher ratio in recent years in Welsh primary schools? Is the present figure the best ever?
§ Mr. RobertsThe figure is the best ever. Most hon. Members will agree that teachers constitute the most important resource in education and that the figure is altogether satisfactory.
§ Mr. D. E. ThomasDoes the Minister concur with the view expressed by the Secretary of State for Education and Science? How many teachers in Wales does he intend to sack?
§ Mr. RobertsEvery hon. Member should be concerned about effective teaching in our schools.