§ MR. D. SULLIVAN (Westmeath, S.)On behalf of the hon. and learned Member for North Louth, I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Commissioners of the Patriotic Fund have informed any relatives of the Irish sailors lost in H.M.S. Victoria that their allowances will only begin in January, 1895; and does any provision exist to 277 enable helpless widows or orphans to subsist until then?
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. E. ROBERTSON,) Dundee(who replied) said: Although the Commissioners of the Patriotic Fund informed five relatives (not being widows) of Irish sailors lost in the Victoria that the allowances would commence in January, 1895, they have since been informed that payment will commence on 1st July next. Gratuities ranging between £34 19s. 7d. and £38 6s. have already been paid to these relatives, who were parents of the deceased, by the Admiralty. Every widow and orphan of a man lost has, since 1st November last, been in receipt of a pension from the Admiralty and allowance from the Patriotic Fund.
§ MR. KEARLEY (Devonport)I should like to ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the Return recently made to this House by the Patriotic Commissioners discloses to this House the fact that out of every £1 subscribed towards the Victoria Fund the Commissioners have only administered l1s. 8d.? Also I should like to know whether there is any justification for the Commissioners deferring the payment of benefits to dependent relatives, because the Admiralty have made payments to such dependent relatives?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONAs to the question of fact, my attention has not been called to that. As to the question of policy and justification, it is obvious I can give no answer without communicating with the Patriotic Commissioners. I will, if a question is put down, lay the matter before them.