Teachers (Hansard, 27 January 1989)

§ Mr. Steinberg
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been done to rectify the shortcomings outlined by the interim advisory committee on teachers' pay and conditions of(a) statistical information on teachers numbers,(b) the numbers required in particular sectors, (c) areas of specialism and (d) teaching group sizes.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
On the provision of statistical information, the Department has commissioned the management consultants Logica to carry out a study of information requirements relating to teachers. My Department's evidence to the Education, Science and Arts Committee sets out tentative projections of future teacher demand by sector and specialism. It is for local education authorities and schools to decide on appropriate group sizes.

§ Mr. Steinberg
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the elements on which the desired numbers in service are calculated, which is quoted in annex E(V) of his Department's evidence presented to the Select Committee on Education, Science and Arts are the subject of any discussions with representatives of teaching unions.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
No.

§ Mr. Steinberg
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans there are to provide guidance to local education authorities on class sizes and maximum class contact time for both primary and secondary teachers.

§ Mrs. Rumbold
None. These are matters for decision by schools and local education authorities themselves.