§ 13. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is giving to the position of older pensioned teachers; and whether he will consider arrangements to relate pensions of retired teachers to the salaries currently being paid to teachers.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteThe position of pensioned teachers and other pensioned public servants is continually watched, but no change from the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1959, is thought to be justified at present. The suggestion in the second part of the hon. Member's question would involve a fundamental change in the principle of all public service pensions.
§ Mr. ThomsonI appreciate that this matter affects many other public servants apart from teachers, but is the Under-Secretary of State aware that the principle proposed in my Question is a matter of elementary justice in an inflationary age? Is he aware that it is applied in various ways in many continental countries, such as Sweden, Norway, France, Belgium and Italy? Will not the Scottish Office consider taking a lead and have these principles changed in a more progressive direction?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteAs the hon. Gentleman knows, these problems are dealt with under the Pensions (Increase) Acts which have general application to all people in a similar position. The position of retired teachers has not been dealt with as a separate issue.
§ 18. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of certificated teachers in service in public and grant-aided schools in Scotland in 1961; and how much that number was short of the total required to reduce oversize classes, replace uncertificated teachers and re-employed teachers over 70 years of age, and to fill other vacancies.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteAt 2nd October, 1961, the figures were 36,490 and 3,810, respectively.
§ Mr. RankinThese are the figures for only part of the year, up to October. Why cannot the hon. Gentleman give the figures for the whole year? What is wanted are figures that can be compared 184 with those for the year 1960, which were quite inadequate, concerning teaching staff. Cannot the hon. Gentleman give the figures for the whole year?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteI should like to take this opportunity of saying that the Fourth Report of the Departmental Committee on the Supply of Teachers is being published today and will be available in the Vote Office. Perhaps hon. Members would like to ask further Questions on the subject when they have studied the Report.
§ Mr. RankinIf I put down this Question for Wednesday next, will I get an Answer?