§ Earl WINTERTON (on behalf of Lord Charles Beresford),asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the case of the widow of the late Mr. George Horn has been satisfactorily settled; whether he is aware that Mr. Horn died on the 12th December, 1909, and that the widow was seven months without any money; whether the costs amounting to £95 10s. have been paid; and, if not, whether the Admiralty intend to pay them?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. McKenna)The case has been settled and full compensation paid. The delay in establishing liability was primarily due to the conflict of medical opinion as to the cause of death, and later to the legal proceedings. As the Noble Lord was informed on the 13th June last, Mrs. Horn's solicitors were offered, as soon as the award was made, the full compensation, together with, as an act of grace, the reasonable cost of the proceedings taken by them, but the offer was refused. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. I am informed that, as the Court of Appeal gave judgment for the Admiralty with costs in both that and the County Courts. Mrs. Horn is strictly liable for the costs of the Crown as well as her own, but that it has been decided to waive the claim of the Crown in the matter.
§ Mr. FALLEWas any interest paid on the money which was due for a whole year, and, if not, could not the small sum paid to the widow during the five months be set off against the interest which should have been paid?
§ Mr. McKENNAI think it would be fairer to balance it against the costs incurred, which were extremely heavy.