§ MR. BRANCH (Middlesex, Enfield)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury 1298 whether he is aware that J. West, an employee at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, received an injury to his arm in 1885; that he met with a serious accident to his leg in 1886, and also an accident by which he lost the sight of one eye in 1887; that he was ruptured in 1895; and that he met with a further accident in 1897 which injured the sight of his remaining eye, and a subsequent injury which destroyed the use of two fingers of the right hand; whether he is also aware that in 1887 he received the sum of £73 compensation for the loss of his eye, which sum, upon his being restored to work, was deducted from his weekly wages until it was repaid; and that, upon reaching the age of sixty-two, he has now been discharged without any allowance or compensation for injuries received; and whether he will consider if a sympathetic allowance can be made to this man.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. RUNCIMAN,) DewsburyI am carefully considering whether I can do anything to assist this-man, but the question presents great difficulties and I am unable to announces any decision.