§ MR. HUDSON KEARLEY (Devonport)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the attention of the Government has been directed to the Report and Recommendations of the Select Committee appointed to inquire into the administrations of the various funds controlled by the Commissioners of the Royal Patriotic Fund, which has reported that there is immediately available from the total assets recently valued at £1,086,000 for the further relief of widows, children, and dependent relatives of soldiers, sailors, and marines who have lost their lives in the service of the Crown, a surplus approximating half a million sterling; and whether any steps have been taken for the prompt issue of a Supplementary Commission, under Clause 4 of the Patriotic Act of 1881, to deal with such surplus funds which have accrued and may hereafter accrue as recommended by the Committee?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.The recommendations of the Committee are under the consideration of the Secretary of State for War and the First Lord of the Admiralty. I cannot find in the Report to which the hon. Member refers any statement that there is immediately available a surplus approximating half a million sterling, nor would, I am informed, such a statement be in accordance with the fact.