§ Mr. Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what instructions he has issued to the Merton Borough Council concerning the number of teachers that may be employed by them.
§ Mr. CroslandUnder the quota arrangements announced in Circular 1/65; the Merton Borough Council were asked to limit to 946 the number of whole-time qualified teachers in their employment in January 1966, excluding, as provided in those arrangements, married women returners who had not completed two years service since their return. After considering representations from the authority, we have increased this limit to 959.
§ Mr. Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress is being made in the Borough of Merton towards reducing the size of classes; and to what extent his recent instructions to the borough council will help to achieve this objective.
§ Mr. CroslandThe borough of Merton has hitherto formed part of the county of Surrey for purposes of educational administration and I regret that separate educational statistics for the area of the borough are not available. In general, if local education authorities take vigorous248W measures to supplement teachers falling within the quota by recruiting married women for either full-time or part-time service, they should at least maintain current staffing standards during 1965, and possibly achieve a slight improvement. I see no reason why this should not apply to Merton, especially in view of the increased quota which I have now allowed.
§ Mr. Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans have been submitted to his Department for improving the educational facilities in the borough of Merton; and whether these plans can be carried out with a smaller number of teachers than are at present employed.
§ Mr. CroslandMy Department has received no plans from the borough of Merton for improving the educational facilities of the area. The second part of this Question does not, therefore, arise.