§ 76. Mr. GWYNNEasked the President of the Board of Education why the staff of women inspectors has been increased by nine since last year; and on what grounds their salaries have been increased from £25,911 to £29,965?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Lewis)The increase in the number of women inspectors is due to the replacement of six vacant posts of assistant inspector (men) and three vacant posts of junior inspector (men) by nine posts of woman inspector. The increase of cost from £25,911 to £29,773 is due partly to the increase in numbers and partly, as regards women inspectors already on the establishment, to normal annual increments. There are still a large number of vacancies in the establishment of the inspectorate.
§ Mr. GWYNNEWould it not have been better for the right hon. Gentleman's Department to cut down the number of 1052 inspectors and thus reduce the cost instead of adding to the Vote?
Mr. LEWISOn the contrary, as I have pointed out, there is a large number of the vacancies in the establishment of the Inspectorate, and the increase in the number of women inspectors is due to their replacing men.
§ Mr. GWYNNEWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to decrease the total number of the inspectors?
§ Mr. GWYNNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that most schools are visited each year by nine or ten inspectors and different inspectors are sent down at the same time?