§ 60. Mr. LINFIELDasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that teachers retiring at a pensionable age, or under pressure of ill-health retiring when very near to the pensionable age, have been kept waiting for their pensions, or even for an intimation of what pension will be granted, and when it will be paid, for a period of over six months; whether, in such cases, he will expedite the procedure of his department so that the possibility of inconvenience to public service may be avoided; whether he will inquire as to what has happened with regard to the special case referred to in his predecessor's answer to a question put on the 16th April, 1923, in which he stated that he had given directions that inquiry should be made into the special case to which his attention had been privately called, in which an interim award was on the point of being made; and if he is aware that no action has been taken from that day to this?
§ Mr. TREVELYANI am exceedingly anxious to avoid all unnecessary delay in the issue of awards. Every effort is made to settle claims for pensions as soon as possible after retirement; but as the hon. 1593 Member knows, delay is unavoidable in some cases by reason of the number of applications, the number of points both of principle and practice arising upon them, and the necessity of investigating back service extending sometimes over 40 years. In cases where delay is inevitable steps are taken to mitigate hardship by means of interim awards. With regard to the last two parts of the question, the hon Member appears to have been misinformed. In the case to which he refers the original interim award was issued on the 19th April, 1923, and the claim has now been finally settled. The teacher in question has received allowances quarterly since April, 1923.
§ Mr. LINFIELDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the settlement has only been arrived at since I put the question down, and will he deal drastically with those in the Department which hold up these matters for such a long time?
§ Mr. TREVELYANI do not think that is the case. My information is that it was settled a year ago.
§ Mr. LINFIELDMay I tell the right hon. Gentleman for his information—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]
§ 61. Mr. MARLEYasked the President of the Board of Education whether he intends to alter the decision of the Board which deprives a teacher disabled in the war of death gratuity rights under the Superannuation Act, 1918, when such rights are granted to teachers who were classified as unfit for military service?
§ Mr. TREVELYANThis matter is governed by the statutory provisions of Section 3 of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, and not by any administrative decision of the Board of Education. The point will be borne in mind when amendment of the Act is undertaken.