§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consider setting up an investigation into the progressive shortage of physics and general science teachers in Wales at secondary school level.
§ Mr. Michael RobertsNo; the shortage is well established and I see no reason for further investigation. I am pleased to say that the recruitment of mathematics and science graduates to teacher training in the current year was substantially higher than in recent years, a trend which I hope will continue. Nevertheless, we are considering further ways of improving the numbers and quality of teachers in shortage subjects. This year, we are launching a scholarship scheme aimed at attracting good honours graduates in mathematics and physical science into teaching.