HC Deb 08 June 1893 vol 13 cc516-7
SIR RICHARD TEMPLE (Surrey, Kingston)

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether arrangements are being made to begin giving effect to the Resolution of the House respecting the Superannuation Scheme for Elementary Teachers?

SIR RICHARD PAGET (Somerset, Wells)

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he can inform the House what is the exact amount of the addition to the present provision of £6,500, promised by him on 24th February last, to meet the more pressing cases of pensions to elementary teachers; whether the acceptance by the Government of a Motion for a National State-aided system of superannuation for teachers in public elementary schools is to be followed by any action during the present Session; and whether any, and what, provision of public funds will be made in the current year in furtherance of the scheme?

SIR W. HARCOURT

The question of giving effect to the Resolution of the House respecting the superannuation scheme relating to elementary teachers must depend upon the resources the Government have at its disposal for the purpose.

SIR R. PAGET

Are we to understand that during the present Session no provision is to be made for carrying out the Resolution passed unanimously by the House?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I said the amount of provision must depend upon the funds we have at our disposal.

SIR R. PAGET

Is it the intention of the Government to give effect to the scheme so far as the funds available will allow?

SIR W. HARCOURT

The Government intend to proceed so far as the funds at their disposal will allow, but they do not intend to present a Supplementary Estimate.

SIR R. PAGET

This is a very large question—

SIR W. HARCOURT

Yes; a very large question.

SIR R. PAGET

A great deal of interest is taken in it throughout the country. Is it intended this year to prepare a scheme? Will one be laid before the House? Will the right hon. Gentleman take stops to introduce his scheme?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I have said we are very anxious to do something. But it is a very large matter. I mentioned in the Debate on the Resolution that it was practically represented by £25,000,000. I have not at this moment £25,000,000 at my disposal.

SIR R. PAGET

Perhaps the Vice President of the Council will answer that portion of my question which the Chancellor of the Exchequer has not replied to.

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Mr. ACLAND,) York, W.E., Rotherham

The £6,500 hitherto provided for pensions has been increased by the Government by £5,000. I am glad to say that this additional provision has enabled me for the present to meet nearly all the really necessitous cases, including many in which repeated applications had been already made, and had been refused from mere want of funds.