HC Deb 25 February 1954 vol 524 cc48-50W
82. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Education what number of protests against the Teachers (Superannuation) Bill she has received.

Miss Horsbrugh

I have received some 830 protests addressed to me or my Department, mainly from individual teachers and teachers' organisations. In addition, I have received a large number of letters through some 280 hon. Members of this House.

84. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Education what number of representations she has received from Cardiff concerning the Teachers (Superannuation) Bill; and whether she will make a statement.

Miss Horsbrugh

I have received two letters from Cardiff protesting against the Teachers (Superannuation) Bill, including one from the local branch of the National Union of Teachers. I have no statement to make at this stage.

88. Captain Pilkington

asked the Minister of Education to what extent the estimated deficit in the Teachers' Super annuation Fund would be met if future entrants only were required to pay an increased contribution of 6 per cent.

Miss Horsbrugh

If the payment of 12 per cent, contribution were limited to new entrants after 31st March next, I am advised that, even if the number of teachers in service continues to increase at the present rate, the effect upon the estimated deficiency in the scheme would be very slight. The estimated deficiency of £194 million at 31st March next will, if not removed, increase at compound interest of 3½per cent., and the extra 2 per cent, contributions would fall far short of the amount of the annual growth of the deficiency.

89. Captain Pilkington

asked the Minister of Education in what year she estimated that the Teachers' Superannuation Fund would show a deficit if the present rate of contribution were continued unchanged.

Miss Horsbrugh

I am advised that, on the basis of the continuance of the 10 per cent, rate of contribution and of the present salary scales (including those to operate from 1st April next), and if no account is taken of the contributions and benefits payable in respect of entrants to the teaching profession since 1948 and future entrants, the balance on the scheme would become exhausted by about 1979. I have excluded from this calculation entrants and future entrants since 1948, since I have no data for making reliable estimates of the yearly number of entrants to the profession for a number of years ahead.