HC Deb 04 November 1909 vol 12 cc1995-6
Sir FRANCIS LOWE

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the amounts paid for superannuation allowances and annuities to public elementary school teachers who have been retired after long periods of service; whether he is aware that in many cases these teachers after 40 or 50 years' service only receive by way of pension less than one-sixth of their salaries; and whether he will consider the desirability of proposing to amend the Teachers' Superannuation Act, 1898, so as to increase these allowances?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Runciman)

A number of questions have been addressed to me lately as to the superannuation allowances and annuities awarded to individual teachers, but I am not aware of the precise aim of the questions. Teachers' superannuation allowances and annuities are awarded by the Treasury in accordance with the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1898, and the rules and tables made thereunder. I am unable to say what proportion the annual sums thus awarded bear to the salaries of the salaries of the teachers concerned. I am unable at present to hold out any hopes of an amendment of the Act of 1898, but, if any practical proposals are laid before me, I have no doubt that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be ready to discuss them with me.

Mr. GEORGE ROBERTS

asked if he will state what is the total amount of the superannuation allowance and annuity on which Mr. H. Summerscales, of Norwich, has been retired; at what age such retirement took place; and after what number of years' service as a certificated head teacher in public elementary schools?

Mr. EDMUND LAMB

asked what is the total amount of superannuation allowance and annuity on which Mr. William Miller, of Stoke Prior Council school, Herefordshire, has been retired; at what age was he retired; and what number of years of service he had as a certificated assistant, and how many as head teacher in public elementary schools?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

In answer to this question and No. 57 on the Paper, I must refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for the Oswestry Division of Shropshire on 26th October last.