HC Deb 24 November 1955 vol 546 cc140-1W
Mr. Owen

asked the Minister of Education what figures are available showing the recruitment, wastage, and depletion in the teaching profession during the period 1945 to the nearest convenient date; and whether he will publish such figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Vosper

The number of teachers has increased as follows:

January Number in post Increase over previous year
1946 175,900
1947 187,500 11,600
1948 196,200 8,700
1949 203,300 7,100
1950 209,100 5,800
1951 216,000 6,900
1952 222,000 6,000
1953 227,600 5,600
1954 233,700 6,100
1955 241,300 7,600

Since 1947 the numbers recruited from training colleges and departments and the net gains through married women returning to service, have been as follows:

Calendar year Normal training Emergency training Married women returning to service (net) Total recruitment from these sources
1947 7,400 6,700 Not available Not available
1948 8,100 10,700 2,100 20,900
1949 8,500 7,600 1,600 17,700
1950 9,900 6,000 1,400 17,300
1951 11,500 1,500 13,000
1952 12,000 2,000 14,000
1953 12,200 2,400 14,600
1954 12,000 2,500 14,500
The difference between annual net gains and annual recruitment can be attributed to wastage through retirements, etc.; but this does not give an accurate figure for such wastage because allowance must also be made for the recruitment of small numbers of teachers from other sources than training colleges and departments and because throughout this period there has been a decline in the number of unqualified teachers.