§ Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked if the right hon. Gentleman will state how many teachers were promoted for highly efficient service, during the present financial year, to the first and second sections, respectively, of the first grade, and the number in each section who were not paid the resulting increment of salary to which they were entitled under the rules of the Commissioners, and the amount saved to the Treasury by the partial payment of arrears of increments to the twelve teachers whose cases were dealt with by the National Board in December last; and if he can now state when the teachers from whom the increased salary has been withheld may expect to receive what they regard as their just dues?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that, during the current financial year, they have promoted five men and eight women to first division of first grade, and twenty one men and thirteen women to the second division of that grade. The numbers in each grade and division are fixed by rule. As there were vacancies for the women they have all been paid the increased salary resulting from this promotion; but the twenty-six men are still awaiting vacancies. The twelve teachers referred to in the latter part of the question would have received £123 more if their promotion had entailed an immediate increase of salary. The question of increasing the number of teachers in the first grade is at present before the Treasury.