15. Sir H. ROBERTSasked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in connection with the proposed financial assistance to be provided through the medium of the Statutory Committee to meet cases of hardship arising out of the civil liabilities of men joining the forces, he will consider representations in favour of making, so far as Wales is concerned, the local Committees under the Naval and Military War Pensions Act the authorities responsible for investigating applications for grants, in place of the Commissioners proposed to be specially appointed for this purpose?
§ Mr. LONGI am afraid this suggestion is impracticable for various reasons, among others, because the local committees under the Naval and Military War Pensions Act will not usually be constituted in time to deal with the applica- 890 tions. I may add that, as the Prime Minister informed the House on the 25th April, the Statutory Committee found that they could not undertake this work, and the scheme is being administered by a Special Committee set up for the purpose. My hon. Friend has written to me suggesting that the need for appointing Welsh-speaking Commissioners should be borne in mind. I can assure him that this shall be done.