§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of(a) the Bursary Scheme for Student Teachers, (b) the Priority Subject Recruitment Scheme, (c) the Shortage Subject Support Scheme and (d) the Priority Subject Recruitment Scheme in Wales; and what research he has commissioned on financial support for trainee teachers. [59169]
§ Mr. Charles Clarke[holding answer 11 November 1998]: We keep incentive schemes under constant review. The Priority Subject Recruitment Scheme was established in 1996, building on lessons learnt from the Bursary Scheme for Student Teachers. Similarly, the new Secondary Subject Shortage Scheme, which is intended to enable trainee teachers who would otherwise not be able to do so to start or continue a course, is being monitored by the Teacher Training Agency, who administer the scheme. Evaluation plans are currently being developed for the substantial new financial incentives for maths and science students to be introduced next year, which were announced by my hon. Friend the Minister for School Standards on 27 October 1998. Regular surveys of students' income and expenditure are carried out by my 264W Department. The Priority Subject Recruitment Initiative is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.