87. Lieut.-Colonel A. HERBERTasked the President of the Board of Education whether there are retired teachers who, after serving thirty years' as certificated teachers, retired before this year owing to chronic ill-health on pensions not exceeding 13s. 4d. a week, including the sum which has accrued from the monthly deduction of 4s. which has always been taken from their salaries; and whether, in view of the increased cost of living, especially for invalids, he will consider the advisability of increasing such pensions?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Lewis)My right hon. Friend is 1571 aware of the fact that the pensions which could be granted under the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Acts, 1896–1912, to disabled teachers were unfortunately small in amount, and it was in order to provide more adequate pensions in future that the Superannuation Act of 1918 was passed. He has no power to increase the pensions payable under the Acts of 1892 and 1912, and he does not think that the position of retired teachers can be considered separately from the position of other retired public servants or pensioners.