§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if the Scottish Education 629W Department is planning to undertake a total review of teacher needs; and, if so, what data such a review will be based on;
(2) if he will give an undertaking that, if any review of teacher needs in Scotland is undertaken, educational establishments, teachers' unions and local authorities will be consulted.
§ Mr. William RossI am at present reviewing the levels of intake to teacher training courses which will be required over the next few years. The data being taken into account include the declining birthrate and the resulting decrease in pupil numbers, the number of teachers likely to be required and rates of wastage from the teaching profession and from teacher training. I shall at appropriate stages, as the review proceeds, be in touch with the interested educational organisations.