§ Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many vacancies exist for teachers in the Yorkshire and Humberside regional area; and what are his policies to ensure that sufficient numbers of trained teachers are obtained in the near future.
§ Mr. CroslandI do not collect information from authorities about vacancies for teachers in their schools, but I estimate that between 4,000 and 5,000 additional teachers would be needed to bring all classes in this region within the present regulation sizes. I look to the continuing development of my 14-point programme to increase the total supply of teachers, and to the quota system to give authorities in all parts of the country the help they need to recruit a fair share of them.
§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many additional teachers are required to fulfil the policy of raising the school-leaving age in 1970–71; if he is satisfied that this number can be recruited; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Crosland21,000. The aims of my teacher supply programme is to enable schools to absorb the extra commitment without undue strain, but some temporary setback cannot be avoided.