§ MR. MILVAIN (Durham)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to an accident which happened on 12th October, 1889, to a youth named Alexander Barras, whilst marking at a rifle-shooting match betwen the 5th (B) Company of the Durham Light Infantry and the Blaydon (H) Company of Rifle Volunteers at the Bues Hill Rifle Range, Blaydon-on-Tyne, in the County of Durham, whereby the youth was struck by a splinter of lead in the eye, which necessitated the removal of the eye; whether the accident was in consequence 116 of the defective condition of the marking huts at the said Bues Hill Rifle Range; whether he will cause an inquiry as to the alleged dangerous position of the rifle range; and whether he can grant some compensation to the youth for the injuries he has sustained?
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE,) Lincolnshire, HorncastleI have examined the facts of this case, and I find no evidence to show that the marking huts are defective or that the range is in a dangerous position, but the accident appears to have been due to carelessness in shooting. The boy was engaged to mark, contrary to the regulations, and no responsibility legally falls upon the War Department. But I will consider whether it is not a case where some small grant might be made out of compassion.