WCP5588

[1]

14^th November, 1913

Confidential

Dear Sir,

I have now put before the Prime Minister the information which you give as to the circumstances in which Mrs. Wallace is placed.

Mr. Asquith much regretted that it was not possible for him to continue the pension, which the late Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace enjoyed, in full, but the claims on the fund at present are considerably heavier than they used to be, and the amount which can be allotted individually is proportionately reduced. The utmost he can do is to recommend Mrs. Wallace for a pension of £120, to which he would be glad to add a lump sum grant of £300 to enable her to meet the expenses of death duties or of repairs to the house, so that she should not have to break into her little capital. This offer was at once sent off to Mrs. Wallace, and I trust that she will accept it.

May I ask you to remember that the matter should be regarded as strictly confidential?

Yours faithfully | Dr. James Marchant