HC Deb 28 June 1917 vol 95 cc503-4
5. Mr. R. McNEILL

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that Mrs. Fleming, wife of Major Fleming, of the Irish Guards, was deliberately fired at by rebels while sitting in her motor car opposite the College of Surgeons in Dublin in April, 1916, and was seriously wounded in both arms, from which she has had great suffering, expense, and inconvenience; and if he will say, now that the men associated with the perpetration of this outrage have been unconditionally released, what compensation beyond payment of her doctor's bill it is proposed to award to this lady?

Mr. DUKE

The Government has approved the payment of the medical, nursing and incidental expenses incurred by Mrs. Fleming to the 8th March last, and such further medical expenses as may be incurred consequent on her injuries. The case is not analogous to that of wage earners who have been awarded compassionate grants for loss of earnings and impairment of earning capacity.

Mr. McNEILL

Does that mean that the Government do not recognise any obligation to pay any compensation at all for pain, suffering, inconvenience and loss except in the case of wage earners?

Mr. DUKE

No compensation has been paid for pain and suffering to any of the applicants; the nature of the compensation which has been paid has been that of direct pecuniary loss.