Mr. MALONEasked the President of the Board of Education whether Mr. E. T. Balls, a school teacher, of Leytonstone, formerly a sergeant-major in the Queen's Westminsters, who enlisted at the commencement of the War, was invalided from France in 1919 suffering from tuberculosis, but is now on full normal teaching service, has been informed that, under Section 3 of the School Teachers, (Superannuation) Act, 1918, no death gratuity will he granted in his case, because he was of impaired health at the commencement of the Act, i.e., on 1st April, 1919, and that the decision of the Board cannot be affected by any subsequent improvement in his health; and whether it is proposed to deduct the contribution for superannuation from Mr. Balls' salary, although he can never qualify for full benefit under the Act; and whether legislation will be introduced forthwith to remedy the injustice done in this and similar cases?
§ Mr. FISHERThe facts are as stated in the first part of the question. It is provided by Section 3 of the School, Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, that a death gratuity shall not be granted in respect of any teacher who failed to satisfy the Board, in the prescribed manner, that he was not of impaired health at the commencement of the Act. In view of the nature of the illness from which this teacher suffered, the Board were unable to take the view that his health was not impaired. The School Teachers (Superannuation) Bill of the1704W present Session does not exempt a teacher in such a case as this from payment of contributions; but the hon. Member will observe that Clause 2 (4) makes provision for the return of contributions in the event of death without having received any benefits under the Act. Though Mr. Balls cannot qualify for a death gratuity, he will be eligible, for the other benefits of the Act, if he satisfies the prescribed conditions.