81. Mr. DOYLEasked the Secretary of State for War and Air if the War Office is empowered to pay the medical and funeral expenses of those officers and men who lost their lives within a few days of their arrival home, after having been demobilised, in February, 1919, where it can be shown that the cause of death was the result of illness contracted on the journey through France owing to the authorities having failed to provide suitable accommodation during the journey, the officers and men having been required to travel in cattle trucks and having been held up at the French ports, and required to sleep in tents for several nights when the thermometer was at zero; and, if the War Office is not empowered to pay such expenses, if he will obtain the necessary powers to do so?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe powers of the War Office in these matters are not automatically terminated by demobilisation of the person concerned. If the hon. Member will furnish me with any specific, cases I will have them investigated.
Mr. DOYLEIf the right hon. Gentleman will look at the records of the War Office he will find that I have furnished him with some specific cases.
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI shall be very pleased to make inquiry.