§ Mr. Wheatleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the payment of teachers' pensions in Scotland monthly, instead of quarterly, would result in a net increase in payments to pensions; how the increased charge of £360,000 in the financial year of the change would be incurred; and why this increased charge would not be offset by a reduction in the charge at a subsequent date.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe total amount of the pension payable to any pensioner during his lifetime together with any balance payable to his representatives after his death would not be affected by the change. An increased charge of £360,000 would be incurred in the year in which a change to monthly payment was made because in that year pensioners would cash their quarterly drafts for the quarter immediately preceding the change and 11 monthly drafts for the current year, making 14 monthly payments in all. In subsequent years pensioners would cash 12 monthly drafts and there would therefore, so long as the pensions scheme continued, be no saving to offset the additional payments in the year of change.