§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his proposals for provision of in-service training of teachers and the effect the curtailment of teacher facilities will have on such provision.
§ Mr. McElhoneMy right hon. Friend recognises the importance of in-service training for teachers and is anxious to ensure that appropriate provision is made for it within the resources available to786W the education service. He has recently reconstituted the National Committee for the In-Service Training of Teachers as a standing body to co-ordinate developments in this field and to advise him on the most effective ways of meeting teachers' needs. The proposals in the consultative paper on teacher training from 1977 onwards issued on 17th January allow scope for some increase in the in-service training provided by colleges of education during the period covered by the review.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in the light of the raising of the target of 35,000 places to 45,000 to allow for in-service training in the reorganisation of teacher training in England and Wales, whether any provision has been made in the proposed Scottish reorganisation of colleges of education for in-service training.
§ Mr. McElhoneThe proposals in my right hon. Friend's consultative paper of 17th January allow for the further development of in-service training.