HC Deb 05 February 1918 vol 101 cc2157-9W
Sir JAMES YOXALL

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he proposes in the near future to introduce a measure providing a superannuation system for teachers in State-aided secondary, technical, and other schools and whether he proposes at the same time to take the opportunity of improving the system of superannuation for teachers in elementary schools?

Mr. HERBERT FISHER

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative. I am in close consultation with the Treasury on the matter, and hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.

Captain CARR-GOMM

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Board will insist that boards of guardians having control of schools shall pay their teachers the same salary as teachers of similar status under the local education authority from whose area the scholars in the Poor Law schools are drawn?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

As I recently informed a deputation representing teachers in Poor Law schools, I am prepared to sanction, and to recommend to boards of guardians, the payment to teachers in such schools of salaries on the same scale as the salaries paid to elementary school teachers in the same area. The question of paying the same salaries as are paid by the local education authority from whose area the children in the Poor Law schools are drawn must be considered in relation to the particular circumstances of each case.

Captain CARR-GOMM

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the annual certificate granted to Poor Law teachers which carried a Grant not exceeding £60 per teacher has been abolished; and whether it is proposed now to make higher Grants to boards of guardians to enable them to place their teachers on a financial equality with teachers in the service of the local education authorities?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

In accordance with the desire of the teachers, arrangements are being made for the discontinuance of the annual certificates. An increase of the Grants is not necessary for the purpose of increasing the salaries of the Poor Law school teachers, and I am not in a position to promise that these Grants will be increased.

Mr. MILLAR

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether lie is aware that the delay which has taken place in making payments to school teachers in Scotland of the increase in salary to which they are entitled under the recent Grant is causing much dissatisfaction in certain districts in Scotland; and what steps he proposes to take to secure payment to the school teachers of the increase in salary to which they are entitled where suet/ delay has arisen through the failure of the school boards or managers to submit to the Scottish Education Department schemes for the allocation of the increase or through their failure to make payment of the amount allocated under the, Schemes approved by the Department?

Mr. MUNRO

I am not aware that there is dissatisfaction of the kind suggested. A large number of school boards and managers took advantage of the time for lodging schemes of allocation being extended to 31st December last. As many of these cases involved further correspondence it would not appear that there has as yet been any unreasonable delay in making payment. If, however, my hon. and learned Friend can give me any cases. where, after the Department have paid the Grant, managers have failed to pay the increased salaries as they fell due, I shall be glad to make inquiry.