§ 11. Mr. JOYCEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the claim for compensation made by the Abbey net fishermen of Limerick to the military authorities in Ireland on account of damage done to their fishing interests on the several fisheries owned by them on the River Shannon above Limerick during the fishing season of 1915 by reason of bridge-building by a corps of the Royal Engineers in the course of military instruction during that year; whether the representatives of the fishermen called attention to the fact that damage would be done to them by the operations being carried out at this particular place and suggested that another portion of the river would be as suitable for the work; is he aware that a small sum of money was offered as compensation, which sum the fishermen think is utterly inadequate for the damage sustained by them; will he give favourable consideration to the claim of those men with the view of granting some reasonable sum for the injury done them; and is he aware that half of this body of fishermen, including all the young men, are serving in either the naval or military forces of the country?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am informed that the pontooning started on the 11th May, and that the fishing season closes about the end of July. The part of the river used by the military is rarely fished, and while the fishing hours are from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. no pontooning was done at night except on four occasions. After full consideration of all the circumstances it was decided at the headquarters of the 1521 Irish Command that no claim for compensation could be entertained, and I regret I do not see my way to reopen the matter.
§ Mr. JOYCEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that a sum of money was offered to an hon. Member of this House as compensation from the military authorities in Ireland for these fishermen?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo, Sir.