HC Deb 17 March 1989 vol 149 c359W
Mrs. Ann Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the implications of career breaks for women teachers for the problems of teacher shortages identified by his Department.

Mrs. Rumbold

My Department's memorandum to the Education, Science and Arts Committee, a copy of which is in the Library, explains the importance of continuing to secure a high rate of teachers returning to the profession, both women and men. I commend to all local authorities the supportive career break schemes developed by some, which provide information and training for teachers out of service and which can ease their return to the profession.

Mrs. Ann Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the implication of the provisions of the Education Reform Act 1988 on delegation of staffing responsibilities to governing bodies for the level of adoption of career break schemes for women teachers; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

The Government do not expect the provisions of the Education Reform Act 1988 to affect the level of adoption of career break schemes for women teachers.