HC Deb 22 June 1982 vol 26 cc143-4
6. Mr. Marks

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the present number of qualified teachers registered as unemployed.

Dr. Boyson

The total number of people in England registered with the Department of Employment as unemployed and seeking work as teachers in schools in March 1982 was 15,893.

Mr. Marks

When there was a shortage of teachers the Ministry organised a quota system to stop the best authorities from getting more than their fair share. In view of the obvious disquiet in the Minister's Department about the cuts made by some authorities, will he use his powers to enforce proper staffing ratios on the worst authorities?

Dr. Boyson

I am not convinced that local authorities will welcome the statement made by the hon. Member. Local authorities, whether Labour or Conservative controlled, welcome their freedom to run local schools in their own way. I remind the hon. Gentleman of what I said earlier. The pupil-teacher ratio this year is the lowest that we have ever had.

Mr. Marks

On average.

Dr. Boyson

Yes, on average, but that is what these figures usually are. Local authorities are not being penalised and there would have been more unemployment had we increased the pupil-teacher ratio.

Mr. Peter Griffiths

Does my hon. Friend agree that not all teachers who have qualified are necessarily making the best contribution to society by continuing in teaching? Does he further agree that falling rolls give us the opportunity to weed out weak teachers?

Dr. Boyson

My right hon. Friend and I have said that now that we have a surplus of teachers, authorities can be much more selective in recruitment. The Economist said last week: Britain's teaching stock is burdened by a generation of underachievers who rode into the schools in the flood-tide of the great expansion of the 1960s. It is up to local authorities when making appointments to make sure that the teachers are of high quality.

Mr. Kinnock

Since we have this vast number of unemployed trained teachers, and in the wake of the welcome, but reluctantly made, statement of the Secretary of State for Employment yesterday on the youth training scheme, is the Under-Secretary or the Secretary of State consulting the Department of Employment or the Manpower Services Commission to ensure that the educational content of the youth training scheme is enriched? Will the Minister ensure that jobs are given to these skilled teachers in the training and education of the youngsters who will now be provided for more adequately, thanks to the pressure of the trade unions?

Dr. Boyson

There is continued discussion between the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Employment, and others, regarding the 16 to 18-year-olds and on retraining. The subject of teacher surplus has often occurred, because it is a numbers game. Teachers were recruited irrespective of their subject. We must ensure in the future that teachers' subjects are matched to the requirement of the schools.