§ Mr. ROSEasked the President of the Board of Education in how many districts the elementary school teachers are on strike; how many children are at present deprived of teaching owing to the schools being closed; what action is being taken by the Board to prevent this interruption of a national service; whether the local education authorities are in all cases paying the salaries recommended by the recent Committee; and, if not, what steps are being taken to secure the proper treatment of the teachers in this and other respects?
§ Mr. FISHERAccording to my latest information there is no district in England in which the elementary school teachers are on strike, except one, in which the teachers will return to school to-morrow (Wednesday) morning. In this district the children on the books of the schools number about 11,000. In cases of778W dispute the Board have consistently used their influence with both parties to secure the continuance of negotiation until a settlement is reached. In two cases, at the request of both parties, the Board have nominated an arbitrator to decide points referred to him. The Departmental Committee for inquiring into the principles which should determine the construction of scales of salary did not recommend the adoption of any specific scale, but, in fact, the great majority of authorities have now adopted scales falling between the highest and the lowest of the scales used as illustrations in the Committee's Report and of those which have not done so, many have informed the Board that their scales are now under revision.
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the President of the Board of Education, whether, under the new pensions scheme, in the event of a teacher leaving his position to take up other work in his profession before the usual time of retirement, he will forfeit his pension entirely, or whether he will be entitled to a proportionate amount in accordance with the length of service?
§ Mr. FISHERA teacher who ceases to be employed as a teacher before the age of sixty does not forfeit his claim to a superannuation allowance, but to be eligible for an allowance at that age he must have completed thirty years of recognised or qualifying service, of which ten years must be recognised service. A certificated teacher to whom the Act of 1898 applied is subject to certain special provisions.