HC Deb 11 July 1973 vol 859 cc381-2W
Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions she has had with education authorities on her policy for encouraging ex-teachers to return to teaching; and if she will give the figures for the number of ex-teachers who have returned to the profession during the last three years.

Mrs. Thatcher

I have had no specific discussions with them. The pattern of return to teaching after a break in service is now well established and provides an important source of teachers for the maintained schools. The latest available figures for qualified re-entrants, excluding transfers from other sectors, are:—

Year ended March
1969 10,664
1970 11,758
1971 12,771 (provisonal)