asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the estimated 400 school teachers over 65 years of age at present in service in Scottish schools in unpromoted posts are in temporary, part-time or occasional posts held at the discretion of the employing authority and would not be affected by the provisions of the Retirement of Teachers (Scotland) Bill; and, of the remainder, how many are employed in one-teacher or two-teacher schools.
The estimate of 400 to which my right hon. Friend referred on 25th October—[Vol. 918, c. 52.]—cannot be broken down into the categories requested. The Retirement of Teachers (Scotland) Bill will apply, as existing legislation on retirement dates does, to all teachers employed by education authorities and grant-aided schools whatever the basis of their employment. I am writing further to my hon. Friend about this matter.