§ Mr. Lyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning methods of improving the supply of qualified teachers of chemistry, physics and mathematics in secondary schools; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonMy right hon. and learned Friend has received many helpful contributions. He recognises the need to reduce the shortage and a number of initiatives are in hand, including an extension until 1982–83 of the 83W special training and retraining scheme for teachers of shortage subjects and the introduction in 1982–83 of a pilot scheme of national scholarships for students training to teach mathematics and physical sciences. Meanwhile, I am pleased that there is a marked increase in the numbers under training which, from 1981, should ease considerably the recruitment problems of local education authorities.