§ 7. Sir ROBERT NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the War Office has refused to cable to a soldier on active service in China the information of his wife's death in England, on the ground that they cannot do so at the public expense; and, in view of the fact that many private soldiers and their friends are quite unable to afford the necessary expense to cable themselves, will he reconsider this refusal in the case of soldiers on distant active service?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI regret that I cannot authorise the sending of private cables to soldiers whether in China or elsewhere, at the public expense.
§ Mr. THURTLECannot the right hon. Gentleman make an exception in the case of the death of a wife?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI very much regret to have to refuse, but if I make an exception there is no end to exceptions.
§ Mr. HARRISWould not the right hon. Gentleman consider making the death of the wife the one exception?