§ 51. Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning the teachers' claim for reduced superannuation contributions to be made retrospective to April 1972; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PrenticeI am aware of the teachers' claim, which is made on the grounds that the higher rate of contribution payable from 1st April 1972 had been based on actuarial estimates which differed from the final determinations. The reduction to 6 per cent. has, however, been made not on actuarial grounds but on the basis of apportioning costs between employer and employee in such a way that the amount of the employees' contribution is related to the level of the benefits provided rather than to their cost. In accordance with normal practice for variations in conditions of service, however, the reduction in contribution is made from a current date, which is nor-ally interpreted as the date when the change in question is accepted by all the parties concerned. Although an agreement has not yet been reached I have nevertheless told the teachers that I am prepared to regard as a current date 1st December 1973, which is the nearest practicable date to 28th November 1973 when the matter was debated in the House.