HC Deb 16 August 1894 vol 28 cc1226-7
MR. WILSON LLOYD (Wednesbury)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the sad fatal accident at Tipton, to a child of Mr. Henn, who was killed by a stray bullet from the Dudley Rifle Range while standing at the door of his father's house; if he will state what measures will be adopted to prevent such accidents in the future at this range and other similar ranges in the country; and if the War Department will grant help to Mr. Henn to relieve him from the expense that has been inflicted upon him by this accident, amounting to £60, which is far beyond his power to pay?

MR. WOODALL

(who replied) said: The attention of the Secretary of State has been called to the very sad accident at Tipton to a child of a Mr. Henn, who was killed by a stray bullet from the Dudley Rifle Range while standing at the door of his father's house. To prevent such accidents in future, firing on this Volunteer range has been prohibited, a course which is always adopted when a range is found to be unsafe. With regard to the loss that has been inflicted on Mr. Henn, I can only repeat the answer given by the Secretary of State on the 18th of June on this subject—namely, that there does not seem to be any claim against the Government in this matter, whatever other claim there may be.

MR. WILSON LLOYD

Arising out of that answer, is it not a fact that this range was complained of in the year 1892 by the inhabitants of the neighbourhood; that an inspection was made by order of the War Department and that it was pronounced safe? Have not the War Office thus made themselves liable to give some gratuity to this poor man to meet the expense he has incurred and which he cannot afford?

* MR. WOODALL

I am afraid I am not able to answer as to the particular facts alleged. We are satisfied that the man has no remedy as against the War Office. If the hon. Member cares to put a further question down I will look into it.

MR. WILSON LLOYD

The hon. Gentleman has not answered the second paragraph of my question.

* MR. WOODALL

Whenever there is reason to suppose that a range is insecure, an investigation will be made and firing prohibited if necessary.