Sir J. LONDSDALEasked the amount per annum that would be saved if the total number of teachers in the second grade were reduced by 600, and the annual expenditure involved by increasing the number in the first division of the first grade by 200, and the number in the second division of the first grade by 350; if the difference between these two amounts represents the additional cost per year of carrying out the recommendations of the Commissioners of National Education; and for particulars showing how the Treasury, estimate of £18,000 per annum has been arrived at?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe proposals of the Commissioners was to reduce the second grade by 800, which would effect an estimated saving of £75,200. They also suggested an increase of 240 in the first division, and 350 in the second division, of the first grade at an estimated cost of £83,295, the nett cost of the changes being therefore £8,095. To this, however, must be added the cost of the increase in the third grade, estimated at £10,995, bringing the total cost of the Commissioners' proposal to £19,090. This is, however, only an approximate estimate, and the Commissioners, therefore, set down the cost in round numbers at £18,000 per annum.