§ Lord EDMUND TALBOTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, as a result of the death of George Frogbrook in the "Gladiator disaster, his mother, a poor widow, became entitled to 4s. 6d. from his effects; that in order to obtain this sum she had to procure a copy of her marriage certificate at a cost of 3s. 7d. and 1d. postage; that on receipt of the 4s. 6d. from the Admiralty she had to pay 1s. 0½d. in getting to the town where it was made payable, so that it cost her 4s. 8½d. in order to obtain the 4s. 6d. to which she was entitled; and whether in future other methods of procedure will be adopted so as to save such expense to the recipients?
§ Mr. McKENNAI much regret the occurrence of the incident described in the question. The explanation is this: As widow of John Frogbrook, who was alive at the time of her son's death, Mrs. Frog-brook's certificate of marriage was neces- 1454 sary to establish her claim. Had she informed the Admiralty that she did not possess it the Admiralty would have verified her marriage without expense to her. Mrs. Frogbrook had cashed a previous order at the same post office on behalf of her late husband without any intimation that it caused expense or inconvenience, and had returned the original order for 4s. 6d. payable to him, merely intimating the fact of his death. The address given did not indicate that there was a nearer post office than that at which the money was made payable. No change of procedure is considered necessary.
§ Lord E. TALBOTTaking the peculiar circumstances into consideration, have the Admiralty any fund from which they could recompense this poor widow?
§ Mr. McKENNAI do not know what are the limits of our power in a case of this sort, but I will inquire.
§ Mr. CROOKSMay I inquire whether there is not a Grace and Favour Fund that the right hon. Gentleman might get the money out of?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am not aware that that fund is under the control of the Admiralty.
§ Mr. CROOKSIt ought to be.