§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many qualified religious education teachers are employed in local education authority schools; how many vacancies exist; and if he will make a statement on the recruitment of religious education teachers. [24436]
§ Mr. ByersLEA-maintained secondary schools in England had about 8,200 qualified religious education teachers at November 1996 and 17 vacancies at January 1997. ITT courses for the primary sector equip all teachers to deliver religious education.