§ GENERAL RUSSELL (Cheltenham)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government are prepared favourably to consider the proposal to remit the death duties in the case of officers or men who have been killed in action or died of wounds received in action in the service of their country.
§ * THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.I think we must all sympathise 1222 with the feeling that has prompted the question of my hon. and gallant friend, and I should be glad if I could contrive some means of meeting his wishes in the case of widows who are left with comparatively limited means. But there are a good many difficulties in the way, and I doubt if his suggestion would be the most equitable mode of dealing with the matter. I will consider it.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the same method could not be adopted with regard to these persons as was adopted with regard to the late Emperor of Russia?
§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)Is it not the fact that the right hon. Gentleman supported this question when it was before the House in 1894?
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACHNo, Sir; it is not precisely the same question.
§ MR. BARTLEYVery nearly.