§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) head teachers, (b) deputy head teachers and (c) teachers, have taken early retirement in Gloucestershire Local Education Authority in the financial year 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [50066]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisEarly retirements1 from the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sectors in Gloucestershire in the financial year 1997–98 are as shown.
Retirements Head teacher Deputy head teacher classroom teachers2 Premature retirement 19 14 89 Ill-health retirement 3 3 21 Total 22 17 110 1Provisional data 2Includes one unqualified teacher Note:
Changes in the statutory regulations governing early retirement came into force during 1997–98. The changes made teachers' employers responsible for the extra cost of premature retirement and clarified the definition of ill-health in the case of applications for ill-health retirement benefits