HC Deb 18 February 1920 vol 125 cc900-1W
Sir W. SEAGER

asked the President of the Board of Education if teacher soldiers who are now discharged or demobilised are required to undergo medical examination for the purposes of the Teachers' Superannuation Act, 1918; if they would have to undergo such medical examination had they remained in civil occupation; if a fee is paid for such examination and whether such an examination is an injustice to ex-service teachers; whether any teacher ex-soldiers, and, if so, how many have been declared as medically unfit to participate in the benefits of the Teachers' Superannuation Act of 1918; and whether the Board of Education is prepared to recognise that ex-service teachers shall receive the benefits of the Superannuation Act of 1918 on the same conditions as teachers who did not serve in the Army?

Mr. FISHER

For the purposes of a death gratuity a medical examination is required where the other information before the Board does not justify them in regarding a teacher as not of impaired health on the 1st April, 1919. There is no distinction in this respect between the ex-service teachers and other teachers. The number of cases in which it has been necessary to say that ex-service teachers are not eligible for a death gratuity is less than 20. These teachers are eligible for the other benefits of the Act. The rules require that the fee for a medical examination shall be paid by the teacher.