§ MR. GALLOWAY (Manchester, S. W.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that the secretary of the Patriotic Fund has sent out an invitation to the various committees throughout the country, formed for the purpose of collecting money for the benefit of the wives and widows of the soldiers during the late war, to attend a conference in order to discuss a proposal for entrusting the money raised by these committees to the Patriotic Fund Commission or to a new central organisation; whether the Government intend to pass the Bill this session dealing with the Patriotic Commission which was promised in His Majesty's gracious speech at the opening of Parliament; if so, when do the Government propose to proceed with the Bill.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMy attention has not been called to the action of the secretary of the fund. The Civil Lord of the Admiralty will introduce the promised Bill on Monday next.
§ MR. GALLOWAYAnd will every effort be made to pass it?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have every hope that the Bill will prove an uncontroversial measure, as it has no Party aspect, and that it will meet with general approval on both sides of the House.