§ Mr. Hunterthe Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, apart from a telegram informing Mrs. Rayner, of 68, St. Georges Road, Hanworth, Middlesex, that her son Private Bryan Derek Rayner had been seriously injured in a fire in Austria, no letter of sympathy was sent from the War Office; and if he will in future see that a letter of sympathy is sent to the next-of-kin whenever any accidents take place.
§ Mr. HeadWhen a soldier is dangerously or seriously ill the officer in charge of Records, on behalf of my Department, sends an explanatory letter expressing regret at the same time as he notifies the next-of-kin by telegram. Such a letter was sent to Mr. Rayner on 12th March, the day after his son was injured.