§ Mr. JOWETTasked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that school caretakers are not being considered as officials in the provision made for the purpose of exempting teachers and officials in the service of local education authorities who are in Grade 1 and over forty-five years of age and Grade 2 over thirty-six; if he will say who is responsible for this discrimination against school caretakers; and whether he will take steps to remove this distinction?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe hon. Member is mistaken in supposing that there is a discrimination against school caretakers. The Instructions for which the Ministry of National Service is responsible provide for exemption under certain conditions of teachers and certain clerical and administrative officers whose withdrawal would endanger the interests of education in a particular district. The need for such special protection does not appear to arise in the case of caretakers, and the Instructions were not intended to apply to them.