§ 3. Mr. JOYCEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the case of William Daly, of Limerick, Royal Naval Reserve man No. 2406 D, who joined the Reserve 9th February, 1895; whether this man answered the mobilisation call when the War broke out, and on arrival in England was medically inspected and was discharged through medical inability to serve owing to having varicose veins, received through an accident when at drill at Kinsale Battery seven years prior to his discharge; and whether Daly, having served in the capacity of a first-class seaman for a term of fifteen years and as second-class seaman for a period of four years and nine months previous to his promotion to the first class, thus having a total service of nineteen years and nine months, and having answered the call of the country and been discharged through no fault of his own, favourable consideration will be given to his claim for the usual gratuity of £50 on the termination of twenty years' service?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAA record of twenty years' service is necessary to qualify for the award of the gratuity of £50, but Daly did not complete this period, being medically rejected for active service. I must point out, however, that Daly's period of service has not been rendered without advantage of any sort. Royal Naval Reserve men receive in the form of retainers the equivalent of a gratuity of £45 during each period of five years' enrolment, and service in the Reserve is therefore in itself advantageous. The suggestion that Daly's disability arose from an accident when on drill has not previously been made, but inquiry will be made, and if the statement can be substantiated Daly would be eligible for compensation on that account.