§ MR. HEDDERWICKI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the attention of the War Office has been attracted to the case of Henry Urquhart, aged 73, formerly an officer in the Gordon Highlanders, said to have served in the Crimea, the Indian Mutiny, and in the North-West Provinces of India, and to have been specially mentioned in despatches for distinguished bravery, who, with his wife, aged 77, applied in January last to the Lambeth Guardians for relief upon the ground of destitution and the infirmity of age; and whether there is any fund at the disposal of the Government applicable to such a case; and, if not, whether the Government will consider the desirability of establishing a fund which would obviate the necessity of such an appeal by old soldiers who have served the Queen.
* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.If the officer referred to is identical with William Henry Urquhart who sold out of the 17th Foot as a Captain in October, 1861, his case is now being enquired into.
§ MR. HEDDERWICKThe hon. Gentleman has not answered the second part of my question.
* MR. POWELL-WILLIAMSThat would depend on the result of the inquiry. There may or may not be. The whole circumstances of the case will be looked into.