§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the system of paying the special war gratuity in a certain proportion to the widow of a deceased soldier and investing the balance for the benefit of the children in the Orphan Savings Bank of the War Office is occasioning much hardship; whether he is prepared to consider proposals to pay either the whole of the gratuity now, especially if the sum involved is small; and whether, if this course cannot be adopted, arrangements will be made to provide advances from the invested funds from time to time as the widow requires them for the proper maintenance and upbringing of the children?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am not aware that the course followed, which is in accordance with the law of intestacy, is productive of avoidable hardship. The whole sum is, under present practice, paid to the widow unless the children's share is large enough to be worth investing, and advances are made from invested funds if the circumstances justify such a course on the recommendation of a minister, magistrate, or other responsible person.