§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Education whether he proposes to include within the scope of his amended superannuation scheme for elementary school teachers persons who have, since the 1st April, 1899, retired from the teaching profession at the age of 65 on a superannuation allowance, and who, owing to lack of all private means and to the increased cost of living, find it difficult to maintain themselves in a manner befitting their position?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. J. A. Pease)The point is being considered, but I am not able at the moment to hold out much hope of including in the scheme teachers who have already retired from the profession at, the age of sixty-five.
§ Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he has had under consideration the judgment delivered last Friday in the case of Smith v. MacNally; and whether he will issue a circular to local education authorities calling attention to the ruling of the judge in this case that the Education Act of 1902 intended specifically to exclude any inquiry into the religious belief of teachers in elementary schools?
§ Mr. PEASEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In answer to the second part of the question, I have no reason to believe that the attention of local education authorities will not be sufficiently called to the judgment in the case referred to in the usual way, and I see no necessity for issuing a circular on the subject.
§ Mr. KINGIs it not a fact that local education authorities have been pursuing a practice of inquiring into the religious professions of the teachers?
§ Mr. PEASEI do not know of any other case at the present moment. If the hon. Member desires to call my attention to any case I shall be very glad to go into it.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYIs it not the fact that a Miss Marsh, near Glasgow, was dismissed by the county council because of a change in her religion?