§ 5. Major ENTWISTLEasked the Secretary for War whether ho is aware of the delays in the settlement of accounts and the remittance of war gratuity for widows and dependants, and that in many cases they are in urgent need of the money, and whether adequate measures are being taken to speed up the administration and so remove this source of grievance?
§ Mr. FORSTERAs I have stated on several occasions, the war gratuity forms part of a deceased soldier's estate and is not necessarily payable to his widow or dependants. Every case has to be inquired into, and as this means the re-opening of some 700,000 estates, the distribution must in any event take a considerable time. The possibility of hastening the issue is at present engaging my earnest attention. Cases are, as far as possible, being taken in order of date of death, and those concerned will be communicated with in due course.
§ Mr. HOGGEWill the right hon. Gentleman say how far his office has got in the payment of gratuity? Have they got past 1915?
§ Mr. FORSTERI cannot say without notice. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a question down.