§ Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give an assurance that teachers of the 162W mentally handicapped who hold the appropriate diploma of the training council will be recognised by his Department as being qualified.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI intend that, when responsibility for the education of mentally handicapped children is transferred to the education service, staff concerned who hold the diploma in the-teaching of mentally handicapped children of the Training Council for Teachers of the Mentally Handicapped shall be recognised as qualified teachers: in the sense of my regulations, if or when they have completed five years satisfactory post-diploma service in the teaching of mentally handicapped children. Staff who are not eligible, or not immediately eligible for such recognition will, of course, remain covered by the assurance given by the Prime Minister on 26th November, 1968.