§ COLONEL DALBIAC (Camberwell, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if the rule has been abolished enabling the refunding of medical fees paid by candidates who, having failed to pass the Departmental doctor's examination, have been granted a re-examination by a medical board and have successfully passed it; by whom should the fee paid for the second medical examination be refunded; and is he aware that, in a recent case in the South Eastern District Office, the Controller denied the liability of the Department and referred the applicant to the Civil Service Commissioners, who, however, on the 1st March replied that they are not liable for any of the expenses incurred in connection with the special medical examination?
§ MR. HANBURYSo far as the Postmaster General is aware, there never has been a rule for the repayment of medical fees to candidates for appointment in the Post Office who, having failed to pass the Departmental doctor's examination, have been granted a re-examination by a medical board, and have successfully passed it. For the examination by the medical officer of the Post Office, no fee is charged to the candidate, but with the re-examination the Post Office has nothing to do. This, when granted, is granted by the Civil Service Commissioners, and is not confined to Post Office candidates, and the Postmaster General has ascertained that one of the conditions on which it is granted is that all expenses must be borne by the candidate whatever may be the result. In the particular case to which the honourable Member refers, the circumstances appear to have been properly explained to the candidate.