§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements have been made to scrutinise overseas applicants for teaching jobs in Britain; and what measures are being taken to ensure that such applicants have not been found guilty of child abuse in their own country.
§ Mr. ButcherApplications for qualified teacher status in England and Wales from teachers trained overseas are at present considered by the Department under paragraph 2(b) of schedule 5 to the Education (Teachers) Regulations 1982. Status is accorded in those cases where the course of initial teacher training undertaken was comparable to an approved course of initial teacher training for school teachers available in England and Wales at the same time. Beyond that the question of a person's suitability for appointment is a matter for the local education authority and/or the governing body of the school or establishment concerned, and there are no separate arrangements for scrutinising the background of overseas applicants.
The employment of teachers in Scotland and in Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland respectively.