HC Deb 06 May 1919 vol 115 cc732-3
28. Mr. CHARLES F. WHITE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that £48 5s. 3d. was due to Private C. Froude, No. 37445, 7th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment, when he was killed, in December, 1917, leaving a widow and one child; whether he is aware that of this amount £16 1s. 9d. only has been paid to the widow, the balance of £32 3s. 6d. having been invested by the War Office at 2½ per cent. interest in the Orphans' Savings Bank till the child is twenty-one; whether he is aware that all the documentary evidence in the possession of Mrs. Froude is a letter from the War Office stating that this has been done; whether he will state why the whole of the amount due was not paid to the widow, who is left with a pension of 20s. 5d. only for herself and child; and whether he will give instructions that the amount of £32 3s. 6d., with interest, shall be at once paid to the widow, who could then, if she chose, invest it in War Bonds at 5 per cent. interest?

Mr. FORSTER

The widow is legally entitled only to one-third of this estate, the remaining two-thirds being the property of the child. The child's share has not yet been invested, but it has been proposed to invest it in the Orphans' Savings Bank in accordance with the usual practice, and under Section 9 (1) of the Regimental Debts Act, which gives the Secretary of State power to invest where he considers it will be in the best interests of the beneficiary. The letter from the War Office would be sufficient evidence of investment in the Orphans' Savings Bank. No deposit books or other vouchers are issued in the case of such investments. The War Office will be happy to receive and consider any recommendation as to the treatment of this money made by a minister, magistrate or other person of like responsible position who knows the case and will undertake to see that the investment is made. Or if the widow takes out letters of administration the whole of the money will be transferred to her to administer.

Mr. WHITE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the letter which she received stated that the money had already been invested?

Mr. FORSTER

I am not aware of that. My information is that it has not yet been invested, although it is proposed to do so.

Mr. WHITE

I have it here.

Mr. FORSTER

If the hon. Member will send it to me I will look at it.