§ Mr. FENBYasked the President of the Board of Educator, whether the statement in Circular 1371, that the Board will make special provision to meet the case of areas where the adoption of the Burn-ham Scale, since 31st March. 1925, entails an increase in the cost of salaries, has reference to an increase in the scale upon which salary is paid or to an increase in the number of teachers; and. if not the latter, does he propose to stabilise the numbers of teachers as at 31st March, 1925?
§ Lord E. PERCYThe special provision proposed in the circular is intended primarily to meet the case of areas in which the adoption of the Burnham Scales since 31st March, 1925, involves an increase in cost on account of salaries being paid upon a higher scale than previously. On the question of the numbers of teachers, I would remind the hon. Member that the question of school staffing was mentioned in Circular 1358 as one which local authorities should consider in connection with their programmes and considerable increase of staff made in advance of the programmes would clearly deprive the programme procedure of much of its value.
§ Mr. E. EVANSasked the President of the Board of Education what provision will be made in the proposed block grants as outlined in Circular 1371 to provide for annual increments in teachers' salaries?
§ Lord E. PERCYOn the information before me it appears that, under the Burnham Award, the average salary of teachers, taken collectively, is likely, despite annual salary increments, to 1641W decrease in the year 1926–27 as compared with the preceding years.