§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Air (1) what steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of teachers 56W for the grammar school at the Royal Air Force Station, Khormaksar; whether he is aware of the proposal to close the General Certificate of Education Standard at this school next autumn; and whether he will make a statement;
(2) whether he is aware of the serious inadequacy of educational facilities for children of Regular serving families at the Royal Air Force Station, Steamer Point; and whether he will make a statement.
(3) whether he is aware of the wide age range in classes at the Royal Air Force Secondary School, Khormaksar; and whether he will make a statement on the steps he is taking to alter this state of affairs.
Mr. C. I. Orr-EwingThe age range of children in some of the classes in the secondary school at Khormaksar is wider than we should like partly because the number of pupils is small and partly because of a shortage of teachers. Vacancies for teachers at Khormaksar and also at Steamer Point have been advertised in the national and professional Press. The response to the latest advertisements has been encouraging. Tenders have been invited for the construction of a new school at Khormaksar which will provide primary and secondary education for most of the children at Khormaksar and Steamer Point. I am making further inquiries about the discontinuance of the G.C.E. course at Khormaksar and will write to the honourable Member.