§ Lord R. CECILasked the President of the Board of Education what is the present annual cost of the Pensions payable to secondary school teachers, and what amount a five per cent. contribution, as proposed by the Geddes Committee, would bring in?
§ Mr. FISHERI am unable to state what is the present annual cost of pensions payable to secondary school teachers as distinct from teachers of other schools. Many teachers who at the date of retirement are serving in secondary schools have had service in other schools which counts in the assessment of their pensions. Up to the 31st December, 1921, the amounts of the annual allowances under the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, granted to teachers who at the date of retirement were serving in 973W secondary schools were £34,883 on account of age, and £4,157 on account of infirmity. On the basis of the salaries current in secondary schools on the 31st March, 1921, a 5 per cent. contribution would produce, approximately, £310,000.
§ Mr. J. GUESTasked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that the existing conditions with reference to teachers' pensions were known to the Burnham Committee and considered by them when they drew up the present scales of pay, and that the proposed deduction of 5 per cent. from teachers' salaries is a direct reduction and breach of faith, he will take steps to have this matter reconsidered before such deduction becomes operative?
§ Mr. FISHERThe intention of the Government to introduce legislation on this matter has already been announced, and the point raised by the hon. Member may perhaps be more conveniently argued on the provisions of the Bill than by way of question and answer.