TEACHERS (SUPERANNUATION) BILL. (Hansard, 6 July 1937)

§ EARL STANHOPE

My Lords, this is a very technical Bill but also, I think, an agreed measure. I can describe it 55 quite briefly to your Lordships. Clause enables teachers to allocate part of their superannuation benefits to their dependants, on the same lines as the scheme which was brought into effect for the Civil Service in 1935. It has been asked for by the teachers. Clause 2, which has been asked for by the British Council, extends the period during which a teacher who is serving abroad may have his absence from home treated as pensionable, provided that he makes the necessary contributions, which in that case are both the employer's and the employee's part of the contribution. The present law is that he can only serve four years abroad. This clause extends the period to five years, and in special circumstances the Board can extend it further still if they think it desirable. The Bill also enables a teacher to serve in schools in foreign countries as well as in the Dominions. Clause 3 brings under the Act those who are described as "educational organisers," who apparently have in the past rather fallen between two stools and therefore have not been able to share the advantages which have been given to teachers who are actually so described. Clause 4 extends the Bill to Scotland, and Clause 5 is purely formal. The Bill was agreed, I think, by all Parties in another place, and I hope that your Lordships will also agree that this is a very desirable measure, although not one of great importance. I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time.