asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that under the 1946 salary scales, the unmarried highly-efficient men teachers in national schools at the maximum salary, got increases of from 12 per cent. to 16 per cent. as compared with increases ranging from 49 per cent. to 56 per cent. to unmarried men in other Government-paid services, and that in no other State or public service is such an unjust discrimination made against the unmarried man; and, if so, whether he will take steps to grade the salaries of these teachers in conformity with the increases given to other Government-paid services and with retrospective effect.

The general question of the salaries to be paid to national teachers is at present the subject of examination by a committee under the chairmanship of his Honour Judge Roe.

Will the commission that is investigating this matter pay special attention to the injustice that the unmarried teachers are suffering under at the moment?

The position is that the general question of the salaries to be paid to national teachers of all classes is being fully examined. It would be inappropriate for me to add anything to that.

When may we expect a report?

I do not know.