§ Mr. Terry Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he will review the grant payable to the Central Bureau of Educational Visits and Exchanges in the light of evidence of a need to manage the organisation of the British/American teacher exchange programme on similar lines to the scheme negotiated by West Germany with the United States of America;
(2) what provisions exist to help British teachers at present on exchange in the United States of America who are in grave financial straits following the floating of the pound.
§ Mr. MulleyBritish teachers undertaking an exchange year in the United States of America continue to receive their British salaries together with substantial grants from central Government funds to help with the additional cost of living outside the United Kingdom. Grants for the current year have been increased from £1,042 to £1,319 since the exchange year began. Half the cost of travel by approved means is also reimbursed.
I know that teacher exchanges between West Germany and the United States of America operate under different financial arrangements. I see no prospect of introducing similar arrangements in this country, involving the participation of the United States of America-United Kingdom Educational Commission.
§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if his Department has received any requests from local education authorities concerning the replacement of instructors in schools by qualified teachers; and what replies he has sent.
§ Miss Joan LestorNo.