HC Deb 14 March 1978 vol 946 cc129-30W
39. Mr. George Rodgers

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science wrat progress has been made in the negotiations with teachers' organisations undertaken with a view to providing a system of early retirement in the profession.

46. Mr. William Shelton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she will publish the regulations on early retirement for teachers.

Miss Margaret Jackson

The general principles of a scheme of premature retirement were agreed with the teachers' organisations and the local authority associations prior to the issue in July 1977 of a departmental circular letter outlining the intended arrangements. Regulations providing for teachers of 50 and over who retire through redundancy or in the interests of the efficient exercise of the employer's functions to be paid accrued pension benefits are expected to become operational in April. Regulations providing for the discretionary enhance- ment of these benefits are in preparation.