§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures showing the number of certificated teachers as compared with the approved total; to what extent he estimates this figure will be increased when certificated teachers are dismissed for not registering with the General Teaching Council; and how many uncertificated teachers are employed at the present time in Scottish schools.
§ Mr. RossIn December, 1967, the latest date for which figures are available, 39,692 certificated teachers were employed in public and grant-aided schools and the shortage of teachers was estimated by the education authority and other managers to be 3,868. I am unable to estimate how the second figure will be affected by the refusal of certificated teachers to register. One thousand one hundred and seventy-five unqualified teachers, whose appointments are subject to the approval of the reference panel, are at present in service.