§ 99. Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Education what evidence he has that retired women teachers are deterred from returning to teaching by the present system of assessing husband and wife's income jointly for tax purposes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir D. EcclesI have no direct evidence, but I have been told by some women's organisations that there is a deterrent at Surtax level.
§ Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Education if he will raise the pensions for older retired teachers in line with recent pension increases.
§ Sir D. EcclesTeachers' pensions are increased under Pensions (Increase) Acts which apply to many kinds of public servants including teachers, and are the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The last such Act, which became law in August, 1959, gave the largest increase to the older public service pensioner.