§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that the mother of the late Lance-Corporal H. E. Smith, No. 320259, Royal Sussex Regiment, who was killed in action in Palestine in November, 1917, has been refused the gratuity and effects of her son on the grounds that, as he died intestate, his father is entitled to them; and whether, in view of the fact that his father is a German, that he has in no way contributed towards his wife's support for five years, and is now in Germany, where his address is unknown, he will take steps to see that the mother of the deceased soldier is awarded his gratuity and effects?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe circumstances of this case have been fully explained to my hon. Friend in an official letter of the 20th November. I have no power to dispose of the estate in the hands of the War Office otherwise than as the law provides.