HC Deb 05 July 1895 vol 35 cc255-6
MR. WILSON LLOYD

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, if the War Office will recommend that a gratuity of £60 be paid by Her Majesty's Government to Mr. Henn towards his expenses arising from the accident which occurred on the 9th June 1894, to his son, who was standing at his house door, by a stray bullet from the rifle range near Tipton, which caused his death; and whether he is aware that Mr. Henn's house is almost in a direct line behind the rifle range, and that, since the accident on 9th June, 1894, many bullet marks have been found on Mr. Henn's house.

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (MR. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

Volunteer battalions are held primarily responsible for claims arising out of accidents such as that referred to, and in cases where there has been no negligence on the part of, and no blame attaches to the corps, it is reimbursed any legitimate expenditure it may necessarily incur. If the corps has not already discharged the claim which was made on it last year by Mr. Henn it will be instructed to do so. The house is not quite in a direct line of fire. The range was closed after the accident and consequently the house has not since been examined for bullet marks.

MR. WILSON LLOYD

inquired whether that would give to Mr. Henn power to claim some compensation for loss.

MR. BRODRICK

Yes, Sir. The expenses will be paid by the Volunteer corps, and, if there has been no negligence, they will be reimbursed by the War Office.