§ 71. Mr. BRIANTasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will see that precautions are taken that discharged officers and men belonging to Colonial Armies are not granted repatriation passages until he is satisfied that the 445 wives and families will be taken with them or arrangements are made that dependants shall not become chargeable, or are likely to become chargeable, to the Poor Law?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI have been asked to answer this question. Arrangements for the repatriation of officers and men of the Australian, New Zealand or Canadian Forces and their dependants are in the hands of the authorities of the Dominions concerned. The War Office is about to take over the arrangements for the return of the remaining personnel of the South African Force. Dependants entitled to repatriation are not allowed to defer their passages overseas till after the departure of the officer or soldier, unless it can be shown that they have some means of livelihood in this country, but I regret I have no power to take any further action as suggested in the question.
§ Mr. BRIANTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that quite recently an ex-officer has left for the colonies, leaving four children chargeable to the parish of Lambeth, and they have been sent to the parish schools?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONNo, Sir; I have no information as to that.
§ Mr. BRIANTIf I send the information, will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into it?