asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the number of teachers who failed to report for duty because of stress and harassment in the classroom; how many have left the profession indicating this as a prime cause; and if she proposes any action to minimise this.

My Department has no statistics on the matters mentioned in the first two parts of the Question. However, my right hon. Friend's predecessor and I met representatives of the teachers and local education authorities last June to discuss the problems of truancy and disruptive behaviour in schools and Her Majesty's inspectors are engaged in work arising from that meeting.