HC Deb 07 May 1925 vol 183 cc1128-9
54. Mr. SEXTON

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of supplementary teachers engaged in the teaching profession in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with over 15 years' service who, notwithstanding such service, are excluded from the pensions list; and if he can see his way to give favourable consideration to their future inclusion in such list?

Lord E. PERCY

I regret that the information asked for in the question, so far as it relates to England and Wales, is not available, and there is, I understand, no category of supplementary teachers in Scotland, nor, so far as I am aware, in Northern Ireland. I am afraid that I cannot see my way to adopt the suggestion made in the second part of the question.

Mr. SEXTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these men have given over 40 years' service?

Lord E. PERCY

The question of supplementary teachers is rather a difficult one, because they are not members of the teaching service, but are only recognised while employed at particular schools, and recognition is liable to be withdrawn at any moment. That is why they do not come under, and cannot, I think, come under, a universal compulsory contributory scheme.

Mr. SEXTON

If a trade union qualification is necessary is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these teachers, being not eligible for membership of the National Union of Teachers, have a trade union of their own which is recognised by the trade union movement?

Lord E. PERCY

I am not referring to any trade union, I am referring to the difficulty of imposing a compulsory contributory superannuation scheme on a teacher who has no status, no permanent status, and whose status is only in relation to a particular school.