§ 55. Sir I. Horobinasked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that in some areas with a critical shortage of teachers the teachers' training colleges are having to refuse applicants owing to shortage of accommodation; and whether he will consider a scheme for emergency temporary accommodation.
§ Sir D. EcclesI have asked the training colleges to take more students by greater use of lodgings and the admission of more day students.
60W
§ 60. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Education how many vacancies there are for next September in teachers' training colleges, indicating the figures for men and women, separately.
§ Sir D. EcclesOn 2nd July enough women students had been offered admission to fill the places ordinarily available. There were about 140 vacancies for men, but I expect these to be filled in July and August by men returning from National Service. The colleges have been asked to find room for additional students in lodgings or as day students, so that places can be provided for as many suitable candidates as possible.
§ 65 and 66. Mr. C. Howellasked the Minister of Education (1) if he will consider the possibility of allowing one year of pupil teachers' service to be served prior to entry to a teachers' training college in the present difficulty in the teaching profession in Birmingham;
(2) how many Birmingham scholars, desirous of entering a teachers' training college, had been unable to obtain a place during each of the past five years.
§ Sir D. EcclesI do not know how many qualified Birmingham applicants have not been able to get a place in training college. Women over 18 and eligible for admission to training college may however, be employed as temporary teachers for not more than two years in the first instance. So may men who have received an offer of admission to a course of teacher training or to a degree course.