§ 13. Mr. Gwilym Jonesasked the Secretay of State for Wales what action he has taken to overcome the lack of teachers in shortage subjects; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe Government have introduced various measures to increase the supply of teachers in the shortage subjects. These include a new bursary scheme to attract graduates to teacher training courses, increased expenditure on course development, increased grant-aid for in-service training, tax concessions for firms willing to second employees to schools and colleges and the establishment of the teaching as a career unit.
§ Mr. JonesI am pleased to hear my hon. Friend's answer. However, are there any signs yet that the measures he describes are proving successful?
§ Mr. RobertsI am pleased to tell my hon. Friend that recruitment to postgraduate teacher training courses in Wales in the shortage subjects — mathematics, physics, craft design and technology — in 1986 showed a significant increase as compared with the previous year. I am sure that he will agree that that is encouraging and is due largely, I am sure, to the new bursary scheme of £1,200 per annum which the Government have introduced to attract graduates to teacher training courses in those subjects.