HC Deb 18 April 1978 vol 948 c78W
42. Mr. Madel

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is satisfied with the progress being made in the retraining of unemployed teachers to teach mathematics in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

Yes. Retraining courses in mathematics for qualified teachers, including those who have been unable to obtain teaching posts, recruited about 240 teachers in the current academic year. Together with the scheme of awards financed through the Manpower Services Commission, the Government's initiatives are likely to make available some 400 additional mathematics teachers this year. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget speech, these arrangements are to continue in 1978–79.