§ 44. Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provision he is prepared to make for the payment of a war bonus to Irish national school teachers, and if he has further considered the case of the women teachers?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Treasury has agreed, in principle, to the grant of a war bonus to the Irish school teachers on the same lines as that recently granted to the Civil Service. I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on the case of the women teachers.
Mr. REDMONDIs it not a fact that, according to the Civil Service scale, women only get one-half of what a man will get of the war bonus; and is it not also a fact that there are over 2,000 women teachers in Ireland in receipt to-day of a salary not exceeding £28 a year; and is it not really a mockery to offer them as a war bonus 1s. 6d. or 2s. a week; and will the right hon. Gentleman and the Government take this seriously into consideration?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am not in a position to discuss the rates of pay of women teachers in Ireland. Questions on that point should be addressed to the Chief Secretary. I have already said I am in communication with him on the case of women teachers.
§ Sir E. CARSONIf a bonus has been, granted, will it also apply to the pensioned teachers?
§ Mr. McKENNAI will inquire.
§ Mr. GINNELLFrom what date will the pension begin?
§ Mr. McKENNAMy memory is that it begins from 1st July this year. I cannot be quite sure, but I think that is the date.