§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is yet in a position to announce her plans for the future of teacher education in England and Wales.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsMy provisional view, which is set out fully in a paper which my Advisory Committee on the Supply and Training of Teachers is considering today, is that a further contraction in the system to about 45,000 places outside the universities will be necessary134W by 1981. A reduction of this magnitude would require about another 30 institutions to cease initial training. I will come to a final decision when I have considered the Committee's advice and any other representations which may be made to me.
I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the paper and am having copies placed in the Library.