§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any record is kept of the circumstances of dependants of men in the Army or joining it; whether he is aware that Widow Anne Power, of Delvin, Westmeath, whose two sons, William and James Power, belonging to the Reserve Forces, were without notice called to the front on the outbreak of the War, leaving her without means, almost blind, unable to go about without an attendant, and now in a state of distraction since her son William, her sole support, died in action, has received no allowance or help of any kind from the War Department or any public source, and has been kept out of the workhouse only 238W by the charity of her neighbours; whether he is aware that a statement of these facts sent to the Secretary of State for War has failed to elicit attention or acknowledgment; whether this is the usual treatment of dependants in such circumstances; and, if not, will he say what is the regulation treatment, why it has not been extended to Mrs. Power, and when it will be extended to her?
Mr. BAKERIt is not practicable to keep records of the circumstances of the dependants of men in the Army, and no public provision was made for them until the recent concessions, made specially for the War. No application by or on behalf of Mrs. Power is traced in the War Office; but if application is now made as directed in the recent Army poster, it will be duly considered.