§ 42. Mr. BRIDGEMANasked the Under-Secretary for War if it is due to want of adequate staff that some relatives receive no notice of casualties to their sons from the War Office, and sometimes only become aware of their presence in hospitals in this country through private information; and if it would be easy to obtain the assistance of many competent voluntary workers to relieve the pressure on the existing staff?
§ Mr. TENNANTIf in some cases relatives receive notice of casualties in the first instance from other sources than the 553 record offices or the War Office, this is as a rule due to the fact that the officer or soldier arrives home before the report of the casualty which has happened to him. Official reports to the War Office are, of course, liable to some delay, as the returns rendered to the base are naturally and necessarily irregular. There is no delay arising from lack of adequate staff.