Mr. PALMER:

asked the Minister of Health what steps, if any, he proposes to take to relieve destitute ex-servicemen; and whether he can promise to take such steps as will obviate such ex-service men having to appeal for Poor Law assistance?

I do not think it would be practicable to deal with this matter in the particular manner suggested by my hon. Friend.

Mr. PALMER:

asked the Minister of Health if he will immediately collect and prepare for early presentation to the Members of the House of Commons the number of ex-service men, with their dependants, in receipt of out-relief; the number resident in workhouses; and the number chargeable to local rates in kindly institutions?

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of ex-service men and dependants, respectively, receiving out-door relief in the United Kingdom; and what number of the same men and their dependants, respectively, are resident in workhouses or chargeable to local rates from being in mental institutions?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will grant a return showing the number of ex-service men with their dependants receiving out-relief; those resident in workhouses; and those charged to local rates who are in mental institutions?

asked the Minister of Health the number of ex-service men with their dependants receiving out-relief; the number of ex-service men resident in workhouses; and the number of men charged to local rates who are resident in mental institutions?

I will answer these questions together. I regret that the information asked for is not available, and as regards the suggestion that a Return should be called for, I would refer to the answer which I gave last Wednesday in reply to the hon. Member for East Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Mr. PALMER:

Can we have some assurance that these figures will be supplied to the House?

I would have the greatest readiness to supply the figures, but evidently they have not been provided.

Surely such knowledge is essential for the consideration of this problem. May we ask the right hon. Gentleman to obtain the information, which can be obtained?

I will promise the House that I will do my best to obtain the information, but, obviously, I am not responsible for the state of affairs.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the present moment there is a large number of ex-service men who reached the highest positions in the non-commissioned ranks and who are destitute?

I would not be at all surprised to learn that that is true, but I have no official information of it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman get the information?