15. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the case of a man named William Smith who, up to August last, was employed at Kew Gardens; if so, is he aware that Smith after a short illness died on 17th August, that he had been in the service of the Board at Kew for thirty-two years and ten months, and that previous to that he had served twelve years in the Army; that under ordinary circumstances he would have been entitled to a gratuity of a week's wage for each year of service under the Board, but that the Board only granted £5 for burial expenses; if he is aware that his widow is almost destitute; and whether, under the circumstances, he can see his way to recommend that a substantial grant be made to the widow of an old servant?
§ Sir H. VERNEYThe Board recognise the exceptionally hard circumstances of the case to which my hon. Friend refers, but they are advised that there is no power to make a grant to Mrs. Smith out of public funds.
§ Sir H. VERNEYIf the hon. Member can find any legal way by which we can make a grant, I shall be glad to consider it. We cannot find it.