§ 15. Mr. Gourlayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the cost to the latest available date of paying the £100 gratuity to retired teachers who have returned to the profession.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteTo 15th June, 1961, expenditure on the special allowances for retired teachers over age 65 who have returned to teaching amounts to £38,700.
§ Mr. GourlayDoes not the hon. Gentleman realise that these figures spotlight the lamentable failure of this paltry payment to induce more teachers back into the profession? Since the Government are not prepared to pay full pension and full pay, and in the light of the appalling shortage of teachers in Scotland, would he not consider making a realistic approach to the problem by increasing this payment to something in the region of £400?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteThis is paid in addition to salary, and we feel that it has proved a useful inducement up to the present time.
§ Mr. RankinCan the Joint Under-Secretary of State tell us how many of the teachers who returned to the profession and took their gratuity still remain in teaching?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteNot without notice. At present, 389 are drawing the allowance.