HC Deb 11 November 1941 vol 374 cc2092-3W
Sir F. Sanderson

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether, with a view to removing the many anomalies which have arisen in regard to war bonus to men and women teachers, he will consider granting a flat rate, of say 10s. per week, for all teachers, irrespective of sex or status? (2) whether, in view of the fact that women teachers, earning up to £262 10s. per annum, are to receive 7s. 6d. per week war bonus, but that men, earning the same salary, are to receive 10s. per week bonus and the resentment which is being expressed through women receiving a lower war bonus than that of the men, he will see that this inequality is removed?

Mr. Ede

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la B¸re) on 23rd October.

Colonel Sandeman Allen

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Burnham Committees were unfettered in their recent deliberations on war bonus, or whether their deliberations were circumscribed at the behest of his Department for His Majesty's Treasury?

Mr. Butler

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

Sir R. Gower

asked the President of the Board of Education the cost of the newly-announced teachers' bonus; and how it is shared between the State and the local authorities?

Mr. Butler

The revised war bonus for teachers on the terms recently recommended by the Burnham Committees is estimated to cost about £3,000,000 a year, approximately half of which sum would fall on the Exchequer.