15. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state how much money the War Office has belonging to ex-service men detained in lunatic asylums; and what steps are being taken to ensure that, in the event of a man dying in an asylum, the money that is due to him for services rendered to his country shall go to his next-of-kin?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe total of the balances on account of the ex-soldiers referred to is £128,000. When a soldier is discharged as insane and transferred to a lunatic asylum, the superintendent is requested to inform the War Office in due course of his discharge or death. If and when his death is thus notified, the War Office communicates with the legatee under any valid will, or with the next-of-kin if no valid will is known to exist. The estate is then disposed of in accordance with law.
Mr. MALONEAs most of these persons do not make wills, are any steps taken, by advertising or other means, to bring the matter before the public?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe next-of-kin is, as a rule, registered, and notification is given to the next-of-kin.