asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further steps are to be taken to ensure a substantial increase in the training of teachers; and what is the estimated shortage of teachers in each type of state school.

My right hon. Friend is studying both long-term measures to increase the supply of teachers and more immediate ways of improving the staffing of the schools. I understand that the National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers hopes to submit a report to him soon. He estimates that 17,000 more teachers would now be needed in the primary schools and 37,000 in the secondary schools in order to bring all classes within the maximum sizes prescribed by his Regulations.

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that there are teachers who have temporarily retired from the profession, being mothers, who would be pleased to come back and assist in primary schools if only there were facilities for looking after their children when they were teaching?

Yes, Sir. In my Answer I said that we were studying both the long-term problem, which is particularly a question of teacher training facilities, and more immediate ways of improving the staffing of the schools, under which heading the point made by my hon. Friend will be considered.