§ Mr. HOODasked the Prime Minister what amount is still standing to the credit of the Prince of Wales' Fund inaugurated early in the War and what class of persons are the recipients of the bounty; whether he is aware that Earl Haig is appealing as an obligation from the country for between two and three millions sterling to make provision for the employment of ex-officers and for the sustenance and education of wives and children of those who have been killed and disabled, and who have not the financial means to do it themselves; whether the credit balance of the Prince of Wales' Fund could be made available for Earl Haig; and, if not. whether there is any other fund which could be used for the purpose?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Government have no responsibility for the administration of the National Relief Fund, but I am informed that the unallocated balance of the fund is now slightly less than £1,000,000. At the request of the Government, the committee of the fund made arrangements for the relief of civil distress, so far as it was due to the War, after the discontinuance of the out-of-work donation, and I understand that it is not yet possible to estimate the amount which may ultimately be required for this purpose. The committee have, however, already made a grant of £100,000 to the Officers' Association. I am not aware that there are any other similar funds, except the United Services Fund, from which a grant has already been made to the Association.