§ MR. BYLESI beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that of the sum subscribed by the public after the Crimean war for the benefit of the widows, children, and dependent, relatives of officers and men, an unspent balance of about £85,000 remains; and, having regard to the advanced age of the surviving beneficiaries, whether the Government will take steps to accelerate the distribution of these moneys, for which the nation is trustee, among those persons to whom it would appear properly to belong.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI am informed that there is no such sum as £85,000 remaining as an unspent balance of the sum subscribed by the public after the Crimean War for the benefit of the widows and other dependents of officers and men connected with the War. I am, however, informed that under the provisions made by Parliament in the Patriotic Fund Act, 1881, surpluses of the Crimean War and other funds have been dealt with under powers conferred by that Act, and that of such surpluses there remained an unspent 140 balance on 31st December, 1905, of about £55,000. The Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation have been made trustees by Parliament under the Patriotic Fund Reorganisation Act, 1903, for the proper administration of these and all other funds transferred to them under that Act. It is therefore for that body to settle its policy as to the unspent balance referred to, which they appear to have done, their policy being set forth in paragraph 14 of their Second Report to the King adopted at their Annual General Meeting, held in public on 24th May last, the Report being available to my hon. friend as a Parliamentary Paper.
§ MR. BYLESDoes the right hon. Gentleman know that the War Secretary informed me last week that there was an unspent balance of £85,000, and will he state whether the House has any control over the Commissioners of the Royal Patriotic Fund?
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI should think on the face of it that the House has no such control, but I have not consulted the Act. The Patriotic Fund Reorganisation Act, 1903, appears to have handed this matter over to the reconstituted corporation.