asked the Secretary of State for War why in the case of a soldier killed while in a state of desertion, particulars of whose case have been communicated to him, sums due in respect of pay and allowances earned prior to desertion have not been paid to the next-of-kin although one year has elapsed since the death.

Payment has been refused in accordance with past practice under the Regimental Debts Act, 1893, and regulations made thereunder in regard to the balance of men dying in a state of desertion. I am looking further into the applicability of the rules in this particular case.

Will the right bon. Gentleman, in looking further into that case, bear in mind the fact that the man concerned was never tried by court-martial, having been shot dead while in the state of desertion by a military policeman? In the circumstances, is it not right to pay over the accumulations of pay to the man's widowed mother?

Generally speaking, I am inclined to agree with that point of view, and I am now looking into the case.