§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what now is his estimate of the national pupil-teacher ratio for each of the years from 1975 till 1981.
§ Mr. PrenticeOn the basis of current plans for teacher supply, and having regard to the latest projections of pupil numbers, it is likely that the pupil-teacher ratio in maintained schools in England and Wales will improve from about 21:1 at present to perhaps 17:1 by 1981. Precise estimates of the ratios for the intervening years cannot, however, be given since the rate of progress will depend upon factors not at present predictable.