The number of applicants offered places on the fast-track teacher scheme has risen to 135. Schools minister Stephen Timms provided the figure in reply to a question from Liberal Democrat education spokesman Phil Willis. He had asked for a breakdown of the types of schools in which fast-track teachers would be employed but Mr Timms replied: “All categories of school will be encouraged to identify how they could best use a fast-track teacher.” He added that successful candidates would begin initial teacher training this autumn and take up posts in schools in September 2002.

Compiled by David Budge from Hansard. PQs can be found at www.parliament.uk