§ 59. Mr. EDEasked the President of the Board of Education if his Department has informed the Surrey Education Committee that years spent on war service will not be allowed to non-graduate teachers in secondary schools to count for increments to salaries upon which grant will be paid for the period September, 1920, to March, 1921; why this differentiation between graduate and non-graduate teachers has been made; whether the rule is general throughout the country or is confined to Surrey; and will he take steps to remove this penalty upon men who were absent from schools to serve their country in the War?
Mr. WOODI am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Board's Circular 1244, which deals with the recognition of the war services of teachers in secondary schools. Subject to the conditions stated in the Circular, the war service of men who were serving as full-time teachers at the outbreak of war or later, and resumed such service at the first opportunity after demobilisation, is recognised for grant, whether the teachers are 2491 graduates or not. The limitation contained in paragraph 6 (c) of the Circular applies only to non-graduates who did not commence full-time teaching service until after the War. The war service of such teachers is not, as a rule, recognised unless they are certificated teachers or possess qualifications accepted by the Board as equivalent to a degree. The provisions of the Circular apply equally to Surrey and other areas.
§ Mr. EDEMay I have an answer to the first part of the question, as to whether the Surrey Education Committee has been informed on the lines suggested in that part of the question?
Mr. WOODI have no doubt that if we have been asked the question we have informed the Surrey Committee in conformity with the provisions of the Circular.