§ MR. GILHOOLY (Cork County, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a few months ago a Roman Catholic seaman who was serving aboard the "Diadem," then stationed at Castletown Berehaven, fell from aloft at 4 p.m., and expired at 6.30 p.m. on the same day, from injuries sustained by the fall, and whether he can explain why, although the "Diadem" was within five minutes row of the house of the Roman Catholic chaplain, he was not sent for to administer the sacraments to the dying man.
§ *MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERA priest was not sent for in this case because it was not anticipated that the accident to the seaman in question would terminate fatally. The medical officer of the ship was of opinion that he would recover. In the ordinary course the man would have been sent into Queenstown Hospital on the following day, and the collapse of the patient was sudden and unforeseen. I may add that the case has already received full and careful consideration by the Admiralty, and that commanding officers are instructed, in all cases where it is possible, to make every effort to secure the services of a priest or minister of the denomination of an injured man whenever a case of danger to life arises. It is to be regretted that in this instance no such 897 ministrations were provided, but it is quite clear that the absence of a priest was not due to either neglect or indifference on the part of the officers of the ship.
§ MR. GILHOOLYWill the hon. Gentleman allow me to inform him that the evidence given at the inquest concerning this man—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ MR. GILHOOLYThen, is the hon. Gentleman aware that the naval officer stated at the inquest that—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ MR. GILHOOLYremained standing and tried to complete the question.
§ MR. SPEAKERIf the hon. Member persists in disregarding the authority of the Chair, I shall have to take the step of naming him to the House.