§ * MR. SOAMES (Norfolk, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the officers in command of battalions in South Africa have frequently been put to great expense in telegraphing the news of the deaths of soldiers to their relations after actions in the war; and whether the Government propose to refund such sums of money.
* MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSNo, SIR. I have not heard of such cases the deaths of soldiers have all been communicated from the seat of war to the War Office at the public expense and forthwith published. Any direct communications from the officers commanding battalions to the relations of the soldiers are of the nature of private messages, and would not be a charge on public funds.