§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many applications for teacher training courses he expects in the next academic year; how these compare with the numbers for each of the last five years; how many teacher training places there are now in colleges and departments of education and if he expects these to be fully utilised.
§ Dr. BoysonThe table below gives for each of the last five years the number of applications made to institutions in England and Wales through the central register and clearing house and the graduate teacher training registry for entry to courses of initial training for teaching in schools, and compares these figures with the target numbers for admissions. It slightly understates the total number of applications, especially in recent years, as some applications are made direct and some institutions amalgamated or in association with universities now recruit through UCCA.
proposals there are before him for reorganising the examination system with particular reference to A-level.
§ Dr. BoysonNone.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to publish the report of the Schools Council's working party on the future of post-16 plus examinations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonMy right hon. and learned Friend, in his letter to the Secretary of the Schools Council which appeared in theOfficial Report for 3 July—[Vol. 969, c. 1087]—asked that the council's views on sixth-form examinations should be submitted by the end of this year. Publication of that response will be considered at the appropriate time.