§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Education whether the Committee now sitting on the subject of teachers' pensions have heard, or are prepared to hear, evidence from teachers, school managers, and members of local education authorities, as to the effect, both upon teachers and their schools, of their having no option to retire at an earlier age than sixty-five without losing their pensions?
Mr. PEASEI have no doubt the Committee will consider very carefully any requests made to them to hear evidence on the matter referred to in the question. I might add that under the Superannuation Acts, teachers retiring before sixty-five do-not lost their pensions, though they have to wait until attaining that age before receiving them.
§ Lord HUGH CECILasked the President of the Board of Education whether certificated teachers who did not accept the Teachers' Superannuation Act of 1898 could now avail themselves of the superannuation offered under that Act by paying all back contributions with interest?
Mr. PEASENo; but I have asked a departmental committee to advise me whether the money at my disposal will be exhausted by the improvements made by the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1912, and, if not, to consider, amongst others, proposals for permitting teachers who did not accept the Act of 1898 to accept it now if otherwise qualified.