§ 81. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the hardship caused to old teachers owing to the fact that pensioners in receipt of allowances under the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, receive no benefit under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1920 and 1924; and whether he will introduce legislation to remove this hardship?
§ Lord E. PERCYI am aware of the fact stated in the first part of the question, but I cannot undertake to introduce legislation amending the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1920 and 1924, which apply to many other classes of pre-War pensioners besides teachers.
§ Lieut.-Coloniel ACLAND-TROYTEDoes the Noble Lord consider that the payment of £62 per year is sufficient for a teacher after 40 years' service, especially in view of the fact that teachers were admittedly underpaid before the War?
§ Lord E. PERCYYes, Sir, but that would apply to many cases and to many other pensioners under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, and there is no case that I can see for dealing with teachers separately from other pensioners included in those Acts.
§ Mr. P. HARRISDoes the Noble Lord not think it possible to amend the Superannuation Bill now before the House, and include this class of teachers and ex-teachers in it?
§ Lord E. PERCYNo doubt, it would be possible to amend any Bill, but I think it would be undesirable in view of what I have said.