§ MR. J. P. FARRELL (Longford, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state on what grounds the effects of Private P. Doyle, who died of enteric fever in South Africa, are withheld from Mrs. Casey, his foster mother and nearest relative; and will he direct that the usual order be made to hand over the deceased soldier's effects to his only living relative.
LORD STANLEYPrivate Doyle, 2nd Manchester Regiment, died intestate. His father is said to be dead, and his mother, who is reported to have deserted him soon after birth, cannot be traced, though Mrs. Casey, his aunt, offered to endeavour to find her and to acquaint the War Office. No further communication has been received from Mrs. Casey, and the effects are therefore retained on behalf of the mother, and will in due course be advertised, to enable her, if alive, to claim them. If the mother is dead, there are other relatives equally entitled by law to share the effects with Mrs. Casey.
§ MR. J. P. FARRELLWhat period will elapse before the advertisement is published?