§ Mr. GORDON MACDONALDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the number of teachers' service books returned by education authorities to his Department during 1934, and the number in the care of his Department at present?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)I presume that the first part of the question refers to teachers' service books returned to the board for reasons other than the normal annual review of all service books. The number of books so returned during 1934 was approximately 16,500 and the reasons for their return would comprise a change in the type of school in which the teacher is employed or a change of status of the teacher or a cessation of the teacher's employment under a particular authority. I presume that by the second part of the question the hon. Member wishes to know the number of service books in the possession of the board relating to teachers who are still eligible to enter contributory service. The number is about 70,000. This figure represents an accumulation since 1925 of service books relating to teachers who have left employment on account of marriage or other reasons, excepting superannuation on account of age or infirmity, and death.
§ Mr. MACDONALDWill not the Parliamentary Secretary take some steps to ascertain the amount of unemployment among school teachers?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMThat is another matter. These books would not give the information about unemployment which the hon. Member desires.
§ Mr. MACDONALDMay I press the Parliamentary Secretary to take some steps to ascertain how many of the service books cover unemployed teachers?