HC Deb 08 August 1980 vol 990 c367W
Miss Wright

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the present shortfall in England of qualified schoolteachers in mathematics, physics, chemistry and foreign languages; and if he will estimate what improvement or deterioration he expects in the next year.

Dr. Boyson

In January of this year local education authorities in England reported the following unfilled vacancies in these subjects:

Mathematics 569
Physics 257
Chemistry 149
Modern Languages 327

I cannot predict how successful local authorities will be in recruiting for the shortage subjects in the coming year. If the hon. Member has in mind something other than current vacancies she will no doubt write to me.