§ MR. MARKHAMI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any Boards of Guardians have forwarded to him any resolution urging that His Majesty's Government should adequately provide for the maintenance of the wives and children of soldiers who have fallen in South Africa, as also for those who have been wounded and are suffering from the effects of disease; whether any Board of Guardians has protested against the soldiers' dependents being a charge on the poor rates; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government that relatives of soldiers should be in receipt of parish aid by reason of the Treasury Grant being insufficient to maintain them.
§ * THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH, Bristol, W.)Such resolutions have been received. Provision has been made for the payment from public funds of pensions for soldiers who have been wounded or incapacitated by disease contracted on active service—also for the widows and orphans of men killed in action or dying from wounds or disease 1544 contracted in the war. This provision is largely supplemented by the Patriotic Fund and other charitable organizations. I do not regard the provision as insufficient, and I much doubt if the Boards of Guardians which have sent up these petitions are aware of the extent to which it is made.
§ MR. MARKHAMWill the right hon. Gentleman state the names of the Boards of Guardians which have sent protests? Is it not the fact that there are men who have fought in South Africa who have come on the parish rates?
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACHI am not aware of that fact. The memorial which has been presented to me from various Boards of Guardians is in precisely similar language to, and obviously arises from, the resolution passed by one Board of Guardians and sent round to the rest.