§ 18. Mrs. Tateasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that under the Administration of Estates Act, 1925, on the death of an intestate bachelor his father and mother are equally 609 entitled to the grant of administration and a share of the estate; and why his Department under the Regimental Debts Act, gives the father precedence of the mother as the person entitled to the estate.
§ Sir J. GriggYes, Sir, and due effect is in practice given to these principles in distributing any sums due to an officer or soldier who dies intestate. Medals and decorations cannot be distributed in this way and if the man has not made a will they are sent to the next-of-kin in the order of relationship laid down under the Regimental Debts Act.