§ 12. Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked what compensation a member of the Territorial Force receives for the loss of a limb during his drills; whether he is aware that a man named Gwyther, serving at Portsmouth as a Territorial Royal Engineer sapper, lost a finger whilst carrying out an ordinary night's drill of one hour, as distinct from his fourteen days' annual training; whether he is aware that, as there are no funds available, this man is being maintained by the voluntary contributions of his officers; and whether he can state if this is usual in cases of a similar character?
Mr. BAKERIf a man of the Territorial Force is disabled by an injury incurred in and by the performance of military duty, whether at authorised drill or camp training, he is entitled either to treatment in military hospital with pay, or, if this is not necessary, to a gratuity not exceeding 3s. 6d. a day while disabled; the pay or gratuity is limited to six months, but in special cases an extension may be approved. If the disability necessitate the man's discharge as medically unfit he is eligible for a pension. Cases of injury are dealt with locally and there is no information at the War Office as to this case, but inquiry will be made and the Noble Lord will be informed of the result in due course. I may say my right hon. Friend is very much obliged to the Noble Lord for drawing his attention to it.