§ Mr. F. Harrisasked the Minister of Education what is the amount of the debit or credit balance of the teachers' superannuation fund at the present time; what is the number of women teachers drawing breakdown pensions; what is the number of men teachers drawing breakdown pensions; and what is the amount of pensions paid to retired men teachers annually, and the amount of pension paid to retired women teachers annually.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe teachers' superannuation system is not funded but an account of revenue and expenditure is kept in accordance with Section 15 of the Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1925. The Government Actuary is at present investigating the position to determine the sufficiency or otherwise of the contributions.
On 1st April, 1949, about 9,000 women and 1,500 men were drawing breakdown pensions under the Teachers (Superannuation) Acts, 1918–46. In the year ended 31st March, 1949, payments of pension under the Teachers' Superannuation Acts amounted to about £3,570,000 to retired men teachers and about £5,830,000 to retired women teachers, of which sums about £230.000 and about £850,000 related to breakdown pensions. In addition supplementary payments under the Pensions Increase Acts in respect of teachers' pensions amount to about £2 million a year.