§ 92. Major STEELasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that great dissatisfaction is expressed amongst secondary teachers because letters written by them to the Board on questions relating to teachers' superannuation have not been dealt with or even acknowledged; and, if not, will he cause inquiries to be made as to why these letters have not been answered?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher)I am not aware of dissatisfaction on the ground that letters written by teachers have not been dealt with. The practice of acknowledging the receipt of letters was abandoned during the War for 2073 reasons of economy; and the Board have not yet found it possible to resume the practice generally. If the hon. Member will give me particulars of the cases which he has in mind, I will make inquiries.
§ Major STEELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a large number of secondary teachers, especially those who are approaching pensionable age, who have written to the Board on previous occasions and asked what evidence as regards their period of service the Board will take? To all these various letters no reply has been made.
§ Mr. FISHERI will look into the matter; but the hon. and gallant Gentleman will understand that at the Board we are very short-handed at present; we have not found it possible to resume our pre-War number; meanwhile, our work has very largely increased, especially in the Pensions Department.
§ Major STEELMay I have the assurance that this matter of the superannuation of secondary teachers will receive the attention of the right hon. Gentleman, and that either a statement will be made, or else the letters will be answered?
§ Mr. FISHERThe conditions under which the pensions are granted are perfectly well-known. The Superannuation Act is an Act of Parliament, and there is no difficulty whatever in ascertaining the facts.