HC Deb 07 April 1971 vol 815 cc128-30W
Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Luxembourg increased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same period;

(2) from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in the Netherlands increased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same period;

(3) from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Belgium increased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same period;

(4) from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Italy increased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same period.

Mr. Laurance Reed

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) from information available from international sources, what was the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in the Netherlands in the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same year;

(2) from information available from international sources, what was the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Luxembourg in the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same year;

(3) from information available from international sources, what was the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in France in the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same year.

Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in France increased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or derease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same period.

Mr. Laurance Reed

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) from information available from international sources, what was the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in the six Common Market countries taken as a whole in the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same year;

(2) from information available from international sources what was the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in West Germany in the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same year;

(3) from information available from international sources, what was the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Italy in the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same year;

(4) from information available from international sources, what was the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Belgium in the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same year.

Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in West Germany increased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same period;

(2) from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in the European Economic Community in creased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Scotland for the same period.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

In so far as comparisons can be made on the basis of data which are not entirely consistent, the information required is given in the Table.

TABLE
Pupil/teacher ratio in primary schools
Country 1960–61 1967–68 Increase/decrease
Belgium 19.50 21.20(1) +9
France 36.00(2) 26.00(3) -28
Italy 22.44 21.88 -2
Luxembourg 26.46 23.29 -12
Netherlands 34.00 31.03(4) -9
West Germany 29.51 26.46 -10
E.E.C. 28.00 25.00 -12
Scotland 29.75(4)(5) 28.95(4)(5) -3

Source: U.N.E.S.C.O. Yearbook: table dealing with "Education at the first level" which is defined as the one at "which the main function is to provide basic instruction in the tools of learning (e.g. at elementary school, primary school)."

Notes

In general the data given relate to both public and private schools and departments excluding special education; and the teacher figures used in the calculation of the ratios relate to all full-time and part-time teachers. Exceptions are:—

  1. (1) Including special education.
  2. (2) Including pre-school education.
  3. (3) Public education only.
  4. (4) Full-time teaching staff only.
  5. (5) Government-maintained and aided school only.