HC Deb 15 December 1948 vol 459 cc153-4W
86. Sir C. Edwards

asked the Minister of Education what communications he has received from the Monmouthshire education committee or any other public body protesting against the continued employment of married women for teaching in schools whilst there are many properly trained young women who cannot secure appointments; and if he will state his attitude towards this question.

Mr. Tomlinson

I can trace no such communication. There is still a shortage of qualified women teachers in England and Wales as a whole, and the public system of education could not be satisfactorily maintained without a substantial number of married women teachers. I have given local education authorities every encouragement to employ immobile teachers, including married women, and I am satisfied that this will not prevent newly qualified women from obtaining suitable employment.