§ 23. Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations she has had with local education authority and teacher unions concerning the teachers' superannuation scheme; and if she will make a statement. [11750]
§ Mrs. GillanOfficials have conducted consultations with representatives of employers, teacher unions and other bodies about the proposals to reform the arrangements for premature and ill health retirement in the teachers' superannuation scheme. I have personally held meetings with the National Employers Organisation for School Teachers; the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers and the National Association of Headteachers. In addition, the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for South-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice) has held a joint meeting with the Association of Colleges, the Sixth Form Colleges employers forum and the Association of Principals of Colleges.