HC Deb 18 November 1937 vol 329 cc562-3
52. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will consider setting up a committee to deal with hardships which have arisen to certain school teachers under the improved scale of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918?

Mr. Lindsay

It is assumed that my hon. Friend has in mind those retired teachers whose pensions are relatively small because they retired before the increased salaries paid to teachers after the War had the effect of materially increasing the average salaries on which pensions were based. The number of such pensioners is very small, and in general their pensions are larger than the pensions they would have received under the Acts previously in force and under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, especially when the value of the lump sum granted to them is taken into account. My Noble Friend does not think, therefore, that the appointment of a committee on the subject is called for.

Mr. De la Bère

Are not the Government aware that these small cases of hardships cry aloud for redress?

Mr. Mander

In view of the fact that the suggestions put forward by the hon. Member are invariably so extremely reasonable, will not more attention be paid to them?