§ MR. J. P. FARRELLTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in consequence of an accident at gunnery practice in county Donegal, Gunner William Murphy, of the 724 Donegal Artillery (Militia) Regiment, has been an inmate of Longford Union Hospital for nine months; and whether, seeing that this man was only granted 12s. by way of remuneration for the accident, he will direct an inquiry into this man's case with a view to having him paid compensation for the injuries received.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) The hon. Member has been misinformed. This gunner broke his leg through slipping on the flooring of his tent and not while at gunnery practice. He was admitted to hospital where, as he was considered to have been injured on duty and not to have been to blame for his accident, hospital stoppages were remitted. He was discharged from the hospital at his own request on 22nd September, and was admitted to Longford Union Infirmary on 13th October. Gratuity for injuries is not issued concurrently with maintenance at the public expense, and he accordingly received a gratuity of 12s. a week for the period 22nd September to 13th October only, amounting to £1 14s. 3d.in all. If on leaving the infirmary he is found incapacitated from earning his living, application for a further gratuity will be considered; but it must be added that a medical officer who visited him there reported that he had recovered from the fracture and did not seem inclined to use the leg.