§ 27. Mr. MacKayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the shortage of mathematics teachers.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe shortage of well-qualified teachers of mathematics, particularly graduates, is a complex and long-standing problem which I and my Advisory Committee on the Supply and Training of Teachers have regularly under review. About 450 additional mathematics teachers are being trained under the special programmes launched last year. My Department has asked the 179W teacher training institutions to give priority to the recruitment of intending teachers of mathematics.