§ 69. Colonel BURNasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will grant compensation to those fishermen who have damaged their boats through colliding with the wreck buoy placed to mark the sunken battleship "Empress of India," and who have lost their gear or a portion of it owing to their nets getting foul of the wreck itself?
§ Dr. MACNAMARACompensation will be granted for any ascertained damage to boats or gear sustained prior to the establishment of a lighted buoy, for which arrangements have been made, provided that the damage was not due to contributory negligence on the part of the fishermen themselves.
§ Colonel BURNMay I send the right hon. Gentleman evidence of the damage sustained?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI shall be very glad to consider it.
§ Mr. NEWTONWill contributory negligence be alleged as a matter of course?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo; not as a matter of course. I shall have to examine the circumstances.
§ Colonel BURNIs it not admitted that owing to the darkness the fishermen cannot see the buoy?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI hope I shall not be asked for a definition here and now of contributory negligence; the men will now, as always, be treated fairly.
§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this buoy is a very serious danger to navigation and to vessels plying between Portsmouth and Rye, and that there is great danger of breaking their propellors, though the attention of the Admiralty has been drawn to the matter?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI will look into the matter.