HC Deb 22 January 1973 vol 849 cc52-3W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the London allowance for university teachers at £162 per annum is higher than the London allowance for teachers in maintained schools at £118 per annum.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

London allowance for teachers in both schools and universities is calculated by working out the total sum of money that would he available if Civil Service rates were applied—£175 for those employed within a four-mile radius of Charing Cross and £90 for those employed within a four-16 mile radius of Charing Cross—and then dividing this sum by the total number of teachers concerned. The difference in the result arises because more than 90 par cent. of university teachers work in the inner radius compared with fewer than 20 per cent. of the school teachers.

Mr. Shore

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the £118 per annum London allowance for teachers was last increased; from what figure it was increased; and what proposals she has regarding its level in 1973.

Mrs. Thatcher

Teachers' London allowance was last increased, to £118 per annum on 1st November 1970. For the three previous years it had been £85 per annum. The teachers—except the college of education teachers—rejected on 3rd November 1972 an increase of £15 from 1st November. Furture negotiations will be subject to the second stage of the Government's programme for controlling inflation.