§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the inquest held on the 15th instant upon the body of Gunner John Addis, of the South Cork Artillery Militia, who was killed on Monday by the bursting of the breech of a 40-pounder gun at Camden Fort, county Cork; whether the gun was one of four that were injured before, whether it was an out-of-date pattern and had been condemned, and whether he can state what precautions are taken to test guns before artillery practice is entered upon; and whether, in view of the circumstances of the case, the War Office will duly compensate the relatives of the deceased gunner, and also the other gunners who were wounded, one of them dangerously, upon that occasion.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMNo further report has yet been received in regard to this matter.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMYes. I have explained there has been one inquiry, and that the matter has been referred to experts on mechanical questions involved. One cannot hurry on such an inquiry.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMThere is no provision for the widows of men killed in the service beyond a year's pay. There is compensation payable for people incapacitated by accident.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)Will the hon. Gentleman see that the 1305 recruiting sergeants make these facts known?
§ [No answer was given.]