§ 56. Major BIRCHALLasked the President of the Board of Education whether the Government will appoint a Select Committee to consider the superannuation of teachers, with a view to introducing such modifications into the present system as will enable the teachers to accept a new scheme on a contributory basis?
§ Mr. FISHERAs has already been stated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Government propose to investigate further the question of the superannuation of teachers, but I am not in a position to state the precise form which such investigation will take.
§ 60. Mr. M. JONESasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer intimated that the question of teachers' pension system was to be investigated; whether, seeing that he himself has since declared that the Government has decided upon its policy in regard to the matter, the investigation referred to by the Chancellor of the Exchequer was made in consultation with the Ministry of Education: whether the investigation involved the taking of evidence from teachers' representatives; and, if not, whether, having regard to the great importance of this question and with a view to securing the highest degree of efficiency in schools, he will recommend the appointment of a Select Committee of the House, with a view to the examination of witnesses who may be called to give evidence in regard to the economies suggested by the Board?
§ Mr. FISHERI think the hon. Member has misconceived the position. As was announced by my right hon. Friend on 943 1st March, the Government propose that, pending the further investigation of the question of the superannuation of teachers, the teachers should contribute 5 per cent. of their salaries. The manner in which this further investigation will be conducted is under consideration?
Sir F. HALLAs the teachers have to contribute 5 per cent. towards their superannuation, is not that tantamount to a reduction of salary, and is it not another way of going back on the Burnham Report?
§ Mr. FISHERIt is not exactly tantamount to a reduction of salary, because it is obvious that the contribution will be demanded only from teachers of those classes which are pensionable. The whole matter will, of course, come up for discussion when the proposals are before the House, and it would be much better to defer discussion until then.
Sir F. HALLI am sorry to press the right hon. Gentleman. Was not this superannuation to be on a non-contributory basis for the teachers?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe are now debating the matter.