HC Deb 19 November 1908 vol 196 cc1388-9
MR. JENKINS (Chatham)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now state what reply is to be given to the application for compassionate allowance made by the widow of the shipwright who was engaged on H.M.S. "Diadem" at Chatham Dockyard, and died from enteric fever.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MCKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.

A compassionate grant of £10 will be made.

MR. JENKINS

In consideration of the fact that this workman contracted the disease which caused his death while working in a very unhealthy confined space on this ship, cannot the right hon. Gentleman see his way to give a greater compassionate allowance?

MR. MCKENNA

The Board of Admiralty do not admit the facts stated by the hon. Member.

MR. JENKINS

But did not the inquiry prove the case to a certain extent?

MR. MCKENNA

I do not admit that was the result of the inquiry.

MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)

Is it not the case that on the morning of the inquiry special workmen were employed in cleaning out the ship prior to the arrival of the inspectors?

MR. MCKENNA

There is no evidence at all that the disease was contracted by this man on board this ship.