§ MR. BRAMSDONI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the clothing or effects of those men in the Royal Navy who were drowned or died through the collision between H.M.S. "Gladiator" and the screw steamer "St. Paul" in the Solent on 25th April last were their own private property; and, if so, why compensation has not been paid to the relatives of such men in respect of such clothes and effects where either lost, damaged, or destroyed.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. Under Article 1,548 of the King's Regulations, compensation is only given to enable officers and men to reequip themselves for service, consequently no payment can be made to relatives.
§ MR. BRAMSDONI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether compensation has been made to any of the surviving officers or men of H.M.S. "Gladiator" whose clothing or effects were lost, damaged, or destroyed by the collison with the screw steamer "St. Paul"; and, if so, in what cases and the approximate value thereof.
§ MR. MCKENNACompensation for the loss of uniform effects has been authorised for payment to the officers and chief petty officers concerned. The remainder of the crew have been granted a gratuitous issue of clothing, etc., in replacement of that lost. The approximate expenditure involved is £3,900.