HC Deb 06 November 1945 vol 415 cc1214-5W
Sir J. Graham Kerr

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his regulations provide that under the proposed scheme for the remuneration of schoolteachers, a graduate woman teacher retiring at the age of 60 will receive a smaller pension and a smaller lump sum than a non-graduate.

Mr. Fraser

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the Standard National Scales (Scotland) Regulations which have been issued in draft form for the observations of education authorities and of any person interested. In some cases the position would be as stated in the Question, but it would not necessarily be so in all cases. The amount of the pension and lump sum payable to a teacher on retirement is determined by (a) the number of years of teaching service completed, and (b) the average rate of salary received during the last five years of such service.

Sir J. Graham Kerr

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether under the arrangements proposed for the remuneration of school teachers, his regulations will allow schools with a distinguished history such as the Royal High School, Edinburgh, to offer financial advantages such as will enable them to attract, as in the past, teachers' with outstanding qualifications.

Mr. Fraser

The draft regulations at present under consideration provide that; where an education authority feel that the salary scale for any head teacher or principal teacher in a secondary school is inadequate, they may report accordingly to the Secretary of State, giving their reasons and the salary they suggest as adequate. The Secretary of State may then direct that the scale either shall not apply to the post in question or shall apply with such modifications as he may prescribe.

Mr. McKie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the reason for the delay in the introduction and payment of the new salary scales for teachers in Scotland.

Major Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction throughout the teaching profession in Scotland at the delay in making final announcements with regard to teachers' salaries; and when the regulations with regard to the increase in teachers' salaries in Scotland will be laid before this House.

Mr. Fraser

I fully share the desire of teachers in Scotland that the final announcement of their new salary scales should be made as soon as possible. The draft salary regulations provide that the new scale of salaries shall be payable from 1st April, 1945. These draft regulations have been issued to Education Authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1945, which allow a period of 40 days for representations to be made. Consideration is now being given to the large number of representations which have been received. I shall do all I can to have the regulations laid before the House at the earliest possible date.