§ Mrs. Corbetasked the Minister of Education if she is aware that there is a shortage of teachers qualified to instruct deaf pupils; how many teachers have been admitted during the last three years to the special 12 months' course for teachers of the deaf in the only university in England which provides this training; and if she will consider, as a matter of emergency, giving special facilities to selected teachers in normal schools to enable them to take the special course of training for teachers of the deaf referred to, in order to secure the efficient education of these afflicted pupils.
§ Miss WilkinsonI am aware there is a need for more teachers qualified to teach deaf children, but I would remind my hon. Friend that qualified teachers can be secured not only from the course at Manchester University but also from those who have taken the diploma examination of the National College of Teachers for the Deaf. An average of five students from England and Wales have taken the Manchester course in each of the last few years, and at least seven such students have been admitted this year. The usual grants under the Ministry's regulations are available to assist candidates, including 273W those who are already teachers, to take this course. These grants have been substantially increased this year. As the general supply of teachers improves, further steps will be taken to secure a larger supply of teachers for schools for the deaf.