§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland which subjects in secondary schools in Scotland presently experience shortages of staff; and if he will, in particular, give figures showing the present demand and supply position for teachers in technical subjects in Strathclyde.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe latest available information about shortages of teachers by subject is contained in the Scottish Education Department's Statistical Bulletin No. 7/C1/1982 of July 1982, a copy of which was sent to the hon. Member. At the beginning of the current session about 300 students were taking courses leading to a teaching qualification (secondary education) in technical education, of whom about 120 were in their final year; the comparable figures for Jordanhill college of education are 180 and 80. These numbers are expected to be adequate to meet likely demand.