asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Deceased Brother's Widow's Marriage Act, 1921, made retrospective by Parliament, is only conceded by the Admiralty from 28th July, the date of passing the Act; and by what rule or authority a Government Department alters the will of Parliament?

After the passing of the Act, the Department was advised that the effect of the Act, as read in conjunction with the Act of 1907, is that, although as regards the status of the individuals concerned the marriage is to be deemed always to have been valid, no Act lawfully omitted before the passing of the Act is prejudicially affected by it. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of cases in which the action taken by the Admiralty is at variance with this legal position, I will have further inquiries made.