§ MR. JOYCETo ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has 22 been called to the case of Mary Deegan, of Annacotty, county Limerick, a widow of over seventy years of age and in feeble health, who claims to have her son discharged from the Army under the Widows Act, the said son, Michael Deegan, being a private in the Munster Fusiliers now in India, her claim being founded on the fact that her son is her only support, and that her claim for his discharge was conceded some time since, but for some reason which she cannot understand his discharge is not being proceeded with; and whether taking into account the position of this poor woman her claim will now be allowed and her son given back to her.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) This man enlisted in September, 1905, and was sent to India last September. He is in receipt of service pay and could well afford to send money home to his mother. The mother applied in August, 1907, for his discharge, and the matter was referred to the general officer commanding concerned, who has full authority under the King's Regulations to deal with such cases, and with whoso decision the Army Council does not propose to interfere. There is no such Act as the Widows Act.