HC Deb 07 April 1971 vol 815 cc212-4W
Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) from information available from international sources, what was the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in West Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, respectively, in the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in England and Wales for the same year;

(2) from information available from international sources, what was the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in the Common Market as a whole in the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in England and Wales for the same year.

Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in the European Economic Community increased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in England and Wales for the same period;

(2) from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in West Germany increased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in England and Wales for the same period;

(3) from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in France increased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in England and Wales for the same period;

(4) from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Italy increased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent date for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in England and Wales for the same period;

(5) from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in the Netherlands increased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent date for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in England and Wales for the same period;

(6) from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Belgium increased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in England and Wales for the same period;

(7) from information available from international sources, by how much the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Luxembourg increased or decreased between 1959–60 and the most recent year for which statistics are available; and how this compares with the increase or decrease in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in England and Wales for the same period.

Mr. van Straubenzee

According to the U.N.E.S.C.O. Year Book 1969, the number of pupils per teacher in the first level of education was as follows:

1967 Percentage change 1960 to 1967
West Germany 26 -10
France 26 -28
Italy 22 -2
Netherlands* 31 -9
Belgium† 21 +9
Luxembourg 23 -12
All Common Market countries 25 -12
England and Wales 23 -1
* Full-time teaching staff only in 1967.
† Including special education in 1967.

The education systems of the various countries have salient differences which can affect the comparability of these figures. Care must be exercised in any use made of them.

Forward to