§ Mr. Liddallasked the President of the Board of Education how many young men are at present employed as metalwork instructors in the schools of this country, and how many as woodwork masters; and will he consider releasing these men with a view to employing them on war production?
§ Mr. RamsbothamThe number of specialist teachers of all ages of woodwork or metalwork employed full-time in public elementary schools is estimated at some 2,400. A number of these teachers are already engaged in the instruction of Army or industrial trainees, or in the production work which is rapidly being developed in the technical colleges. I have recently issued to all local education authorities an administrative memorandum, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend, urging them to review their staffs of handicraft instructors in order to make as many as possible available for war work, whether in the technical colleges or elsewhere.