§ Sir J. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the present number of qualified teachers who have the qualifications to teach shorthand and typewriting.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThis information is not available.
§ Sir J. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will grant and not refuse qualified teacher status to the large number of unqualified teachers of shorthand and typewriting who apply for qualified teacher status after more than 20 years' satisfactory teaching and who have been recommended by their local authority for such recognition.
§ Mrs. ThatcherSuch cases, of which there are very few, are considered individually on their merits. If my hon. and learned Friend has a particular case in mind, I shall be glad to know of it.