§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the present average pupil-teacher ratio in State secondary schools; and by how much it is estimated that this could be reduced if all unemployed teachers were in employment;
(2) what is the present average pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools; and by how much it is estimated that this could be reduced if all unemployed teachers were in employment.
§ Dr. BoysonIt is estimated that if all persons registered in December 1979 as unemployed and seeking teaching posts were to be employed in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools, the January 1980 overall pupil-teacher ratio for England of 18.7:1 would have been reduced to 18.3:1. Separate ratios for primary and secondary schools in 1980 are not yet available. Information relating to Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.