§ 32. Mr. McMasterasked the Minister of Education how many teachers are in retirement with a pension of less than £100 per annum, with a pension of between £100 and £150 per annum, and with a pension of between £150 and £200 per annum.
§ Sir D. EcclesI regret that this information is not readily available.
§ Mr. McMasterWould my right hon. Friend see that proper statistics are kept, so that this House and the country may know what pensions are paid to this class 781 of teacher, and would he agree that it is a disgrace that a number of elderly and retired teachers, after very many years of service to the community, should receive such meagre and totally inadequate pensions?
§ Sir D. EcclesThe figures are not only difficult to get but I doubt if they would be of great use to my hon. Friend because, of course, the length of service of the various teachers determines their pensions. The question of increasing teachers' retirement pensions is not one that can be considered in isolation from other public service.
§ 33. Mr. McMasterasked the Minister of Education what would be the cost of an increase of 20 per cent. and 25 per cent., respectively, in the pensions of those school teachers who retired between 1930 and 1939, and of those who retired between 1940 and 1949, respectively.
§ Sir D. EcclesI cannot make an accurate estimate, but very broadly the costs would be £500,000 and £600,000, for the first period and £1,750,000 and £2 million for the second.
§ Mr. McMasterIn view of the small sums involved, will my right hon. Friend consult his colleagues in the Government with a view to granting an immediate and substantial increase of pensions to this very deserving class of older pensioners?
§ Sir D. EcclesThat is a question for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.