§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the verdict of the jury at the coroner's inquest held at Rathcoursey, county Cork, on Monday last, in connection with the death of naval pensioner Daniel Driscoll by the explosion of a live shrapnel shell; whether he is aware that such shells are frequently strewn about the strand at Rathcoursey, and that they 971 are also liable to be hauled up by fishing nets; whether steps will be taken to give effect to the recommendation of the jury with a view to prevent similar accidents in future; and whether compensation will be given to the widow and family of this man.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) No report has reached the War Office of the occurrence in question, and I am not therefore in a position to state whether this is a case in which compensation can be granted. In accordance with the regulations, all possible precautions are taken to prevent accidents from unexploded shells, but the hon. and gallant Member will understand that it is impossible to account for every such shell fired seawards.