§ 39. Major NEWMANasked the President of the Local Government Board what 312 progress has been made by the Statutory Committee of the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation in fulfilling to widows and orphans of soldiers and sailors and of men discharged from the Services the duties hitherto discharged by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association and similar bodies; and whether the financial assistance to the above-mentioned bodies from the National Relief Fund has now ceased?
§ 91. Mr. JACOBSENasked how many of the local committees of the Statutory Committees, appointed under the Naval and Military Pensions Act, which are now being formed will be unable to commence their public duties under the Act on 1st July; if in all such cases arrangements have been made for the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association to act in place of the local committees temporarily; and if this association where so acting will be invested with all the powers of the local committees?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERIn about 100 out of some 300 areas local committees will be in a position to undertake their duties under the Act of 1915 by the 1st July, and powers have been delegated to them by the Statutory Committee. In all areas for which local committees will not be in this position, arrangements are being made with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association and other voluntary organisations to fulfil the duties hitherto discharged by those bodies. The National Relief Fund will continue financial assistance until 30th June. As from 1st July the funds required by local committees and by the voluntary organisations for the purpose of the Act will be provided by the Statutory Committee.
§ Mr. J. SAMUELAre we to understand that the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association are to distribute State money?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERCertainly. I do not know who else are to distribute this State money until the local committees are formed. I am sure my hon. Friend does not desire that the money should not be distributed and that the soldiers' and sailors' families should go without?
§ Mr. SAMUELWill the right hon. Gentleman advise the Statutory Committee to withdraw their ban with regard to the appointment of district committees so that they can get on with the work?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThey have put no ban—
§ Mr. SAMUELOh, yes, they have!
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThey have put no ban on the formation of district committees; they have given certain advice on the matter.
§ Major NEWMANCan the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that no soldiers' and sailors' widows will suffer by reason of this transference of duties?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERI think I can safely say that no soldiers' or sailors' wives or families ought to suffer from the transference. We have every reason to believe that we have made all adequate preparations for the transfer stage.