HC Deb 29 March 1922 vol 152 cc1323-4
102. Captain MARTIN

asked the President of the Board of Education how many teachers who refused the terms of the 1898 Act are now enjoying the greatly improved benefits of the 1918 Act?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher)

The number of teachers who did not accept the Act of 1898 and have up to 31st December, 1921, been awarded pensions under the Act of 1918 is 582.

107. Captain MARTIN

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that for equivalent service, and even for shorter service, the pension under the Teachers (Superannuation) Act of 1918 ranges from three times to eight times the pension under the Acts of 1898 and 1912; and why such exceptionally large increases were deemed necessary?

Mr. FISHER

I am aware that the benefits under the Act of 1918 are considerably larger than those under the Acts of 1898 and 1912. The general reasons for improvement of the superannuation system were explained when the Act of 1918 was before Parliament, and the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware that the Government is bringing the present system under review and intends to submit a Measure to Parliament shortly.

108. Captain MARTIN

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that applications for extension of service made by some teachers on reaching the age limit, 65, during the two years ended 31st March, 1919, were granted, and that the applicants were thus made eligible for and admitted to the benefits of the New Teachers (Superanuation) Act of 1918, while applications for extension made during the same period by other teachers of the same age and having identical claims were refused, and that these applicants were thus debarred from the benefits of the new Act; what, if any, was the principle upon which such differential treatment was based; and what steps he proposes to take to compensate these latter teachers for the loss they have sustained as a consequence of their being refused the same extension of service as that granted to their fellows?

Mr. FISHER

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on the 2nd March to the hon. and gallant Member for Durham (Major Hills).