HC Deb 10 June 1918 vol 106 cc1866-7
38. Colonel W. THORNE

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that some of the women teachers in the elementary schools under the London County Council will be worse off under the new scheme of salaries that have been fixed by the Education Committee; and if he intends taking action in the matter?

39. Mr. KING

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has been made aware of the dissatisfaction with the new scale of salaries for elementary female school teachers recently adopted by the London education authority; whether he is aware that though professedly granting increases the scale actually reduces some present salaries in view of future advances, and also reduces the annual increments operative under the previous scale; whether he has power to disallow or to alter the new scale of salaries; and whether, if not, he proposes in the Education Bill to take such powers?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Lewis)

My right hon. Friend understands that some of the women teachers are dissatisfied, and that the substitution of the new scale for the old scale and the war bonus does, in some cases, result in a temporary diminution of the total amounts received. The new scale, however, represents a great advance in the direction of placing the teaching profession in London on a sound footing, and the existing circumstances do not appear to afford any occasion for his intervention.

Mr. KING

As the Board of Education admits that in some cases an actual reduction will take place, can it not intervene to prevent this happening, so as not to penalise teachers who continue in the profession at this time?

Mr. LEWIS

As I have pointed out, it is only a reduction of a temporary character.

Mr. KING

Yes, but for teachers at the present time, is it not most essential, when prices are rising in all directions, and when they are having offers to go to more remunerative employment, that they should be kept by every possible means in their present profession?

Mr. LEWIS

I am sure the London education authority has fully considered all these questions.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

Will the right hon. Gentleman state how a scheme which reduces the salaries of London teachers places them on a sounder financial footing?

Mr. LEWIS

I have pointed out that the substitution of the new scale for the old scale plus war bonus does in some cases result in a temporary diminution of the total receipts, but that only applies to a small number of cases.

Mr. KING

Will this matter be further considered by the Board of Education, in view of the very large number of teachers who write to me daily?