asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the practice of the Admiralty to ask the Charity Organisation Society to conduct investigation into the circumstances of those whose cases are being considered for compassionate grants by the Department?

The answer is in the affirmative, except in cases where the Admiralty are already in possession of sufficient information of the circumstances of the applicant.

Is it considered to be in keeping with the policy of a Government Department that they should use such an organisation as the Charity Organisation Society to find out the circumstances of their employés?

Is not the Charity Organisation Society a most efficient body?

Up to 1924, the services of the police were utilised for this purpose where we did not know the circumstances of the case ourselves. It was then thought that the Charity Organisation Society was a body eminently qualified to carry out this work, and we have derived complete satisfaction from the work of the Charity Organisation Society in this respect.

In view of the knowledge that some of us have of the Charity Organisation Society, may we ask the Admiralty to make these investigations themselves?

Viscountess ASTOR:

In view of the knowledge that some of us have of the Charity Organisation Society and of its splendid work, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman go on doing as he does now?

rose—

This is really not the time to discuss the merits of this society.

Is the Charity Organisation Society asked to inquire into the statements made by officers requiring this sort of compassionate allowance?

Viscountess ASTOR:

Yes.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this society exists to organise charity out of existence?

Viscountess ASTOR:

Should not we all like to see the necessity for charity disappear?

There never was such a brutal body of people.