HC Deb 23 July 1985 vol 83 cc508-9W
29. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many people left the teaching profession other than through retirement during 1984–85.

Sir Keith Joseph

The latest figures available are for 1983–84 when 20,260 teachers left maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England and Wales prior to age 60 on grounds other than premature retirement. This figure represents 4.9 per cent. of the teaching force, a proportion which has remained fairly steady since 1982–83 after falling gradually from a level of 6.3 per cent. in 1979–80.