§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to increase the number of teachers of mathematics in areas outside the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
§ Mr. RossMy main concern is to improve the national supply of teachers of mathematics, as of other, categories in which there are shortages. To this end I have provided additional places at colleges of education and have continued publicity efforts of various kinds. I have also taken steps to assist areas in which shortages are greatest, such as Lanarkshire and Glasgow, by introducing a scheme of inducement payments to teachers in designated schools of severe shortage.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of teachers of mathematics in Scotland, who came into service for any five convenient dates in the last 15 years.
§ Mr. RossThe following are the numbers of persons who qualified as teachers of mathematics in the years shown:
1954–55 1958–59 1964–65 1966–67 1967–68 95 184 210 255 257 I do not know how many of these persons entered teaching in Scottish schools.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the age structure of teachers of mathematics in Scotland.
§ Mr. RossThe information needed for this is not available at present but will be available from the computerised teachers' records now being prepared.