§ Mr. Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many extra teachers would be able to be employed if teachers currently in employment were to forgo one year's incremental increase of salary.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonAbout 12,000 if the resulting savings were used for that purpose. But the Government's policy, reflected in the rate support grant settlement for 1976–77, is to maintain the staffing standards achieved in the academic 813W year 1975–76. To employ more teachers than that policy requires, at continuing cost, on the basis of a saving in one year only, would be contrary to that policy.
§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the establishment of an emergency teaching force; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonMy right hon. Friend has received a letter suggesting that a nationally administered emergency teaching force be set up to employ newly qualified teachers in training school leavers to give individual tuition in certain subjects to backward pupils. Even if resources were available to employ more teachers, I doubt whether this would be the most effective way to use their services.