§ 97. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. H. J. Sparkes, a teacher of thirty-three years' service, who retired in 1911, and who is without any pension or means of subsistance; and when he will be in a position to deal with this and other cases of persons who have devoted their life to education and are left in extreme poverty and without any recognition whatever from the State?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Pease)The teacher referred to in the hon. Member's question retired on 31st December, 1911, after thirty-two and a half years' service. He was not engaged in teaching between 27th February, 1897, and 1st March, 1904, and he did not accept the conditions of the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1898. I am unable to state whether any funds will be available to meet cases of this kind until I have received the Report of the Committee which is inquiring into the cost of the improvements effected by the Act of 1912. I hope to receive the Report very shortly.