§ Sir L. Lyleasked the Secretary of State for War whether, when a Serviceman is an only son, mothers of such men can be given equal treatment with wives so far as travelling expenses are concerned when notified that their son is dangerously or seriously ill.
§ Mr. A. HendersonWhen an officer or soldier isdangerously ill, the next-of-kin receives a specially worded telegram. On production at the nearest police station, a return railway warrant for two persons, one a relative, may be issued. In the case of a married man the next-of-kin is his wife. But if the mother receives the notification it can be presumed that she is the next-of-kin and therefore entitled to the free railway warrant. In any case she may be one of the two persons for whom free return travel is provided. In cases of illness, which are not dangerous, mothers and wives are in an identical position and can receive concession vouchers and avail themselves of the reduced concession fares granted by the railways.