§ 32. Sir David Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of retired schoolteachers who are in receipt of pensions from his Department; the average amount per annum of such pensions; and the number of full-time and part-time persons who are employed in completing the quarterly remittance forms.
§ Mr. WoodburnThe number of retired teachers in receipt of pensions from my Department is 8,696, and the average amount per annum of such pensions is £150. Two clerks are directly employed full-time and two comptometer workers part-time on the relative accounting work. I understand that, in addition, seven members of the staff of His Majesty's Paymaster-General are employed full-time in paying the pensions, and one full-time and one part-time in auxiliary banking services.
§ Sir D. RobertsonIn view of the fact that his answer reveals that there is a mere bagatelle of persons engaged in paying these pensions, why did the right hon. Gentleman tell the House last week that manpower difficulties prevented these quarterly pensions being paid monthly to men who are getting only £150 per annum, and who need the money?
§ Mr. WoodburnIf the hon. Gentleman will refresh his memory as to the Prime Minister's statement yesterday he will see that cutting down Government manpower is one of the essential economies that we are intending to carry out.