HC Deb 19 February 1900 vol 79 c359
MR. KEARLEY () Devonport

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is now in a position to state what course of action the Government contemplate with regard to the administration of the various funds controlled by the Commissioners of the Royal Patriotic Fund; and whether steps are being taken to ascertain the disposition of those who are collecting and administering now funds for the war to bring them into one general fund, in order to ensure the most liberal distribution without the danger of overlapping.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have obtained the consent of the following gentlemen to serve on the Committee of Inquiry—a Committee which is neither parliamentary nor departmental—an independent Committee:—

  • Lord Justice Henn Collins (Chairman);
  • The Earl of Northbrook, G.C.S.I.;
  • The Right Hon. William Lidderdale;
  • The Lord Mayor;
  • Mr. Whitmore, M.P.;
  • Mr. Robson, Q.C., M.P.;
  • The Rev. Cosmo Lang;
  • Col. Twynam.

The order of reference is as follows:— To consider with the assistance of the managers of the various charitable funds available for the relief of persons who have served or are serving in the Held, or of the families of such persons, how these funds may be distributed with the least waste, and to the best advantage of those for whom they were intended.