§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, having regard to the continued shartage of properly qualified religious education teachers, he will take urgent steps to rectify the situation.
§ Mr. William SheltonInformation supplied to the Department by local education authorities about unfilled vacancies for secondary teachers does not suggest that they are finding difficulty in appointing suitably qualified teachers to vacant posts for religious education specialists. However, I recognise that a significant amount of teaching in religious education is being carried out by teachers who have no formal qualifications in the subject. I look to local authorities to seek, through a careful deployment of their teachers, to ensure that religious education teaching is placed in good hands and, within the resources available, to provide in-service training where appropriate.