HC Deb 28 June 1922 vol 155 cc2058-9
43. Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the late Mr. Stanley Patrick Eaton, manager of the rubber plantation of the Pullangode Rubber Company at Manjeri, was murdered by the Moplahs during the Mappilla rising of 1921; that he had been assured by the collector of the Calicut district that it was quite safe for him to return to his estate; that the said Stanley Patrick Eaton was the sole support of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Netterville Albert Eaton, of Belcarres, Serpentine Avenue, Ballsbridge, Dublin; that the said John Nettcrville Albert Eaton was from 1883 to 1896 an engineer under the Public Works Department of India, from which he was retired without pension, but with a compassionate gratuity of £250, owing to chronic dysentery contracted during his public service in India from complications of which he is still incapacitated; that the said J. N. A. Eaton has applied to the Government of Madras for compensation for the loss of his son and only means of support, and has received a reply from the Chief Secretary of the Government of Madras to the effect that the Government can accept no responsibility for loss of life caused during the Mappilla rebellion; if he is aware, however, that they granted compensation to the widow of the late Stanley Patrick Eaton; and if he will have the parents' claim reconsidered, having regard to their present almost destitute condition, and the father's past services for the Empire and his disability caused thereby?

Earl WINTERTON

I am aware of most of the circumstances stated in the hon and gallant Member's question, but I did not know that the request of the late Mr. Eaton's widow for compensation had already been met, or that the request of his father had been refused. I will send a copy of the question to the Madras Government for their consideration, but my Noble Friend does not feel that he could dictate to the local Government as to the manner in which they should deal with the very numerous applications from sufferers from the recent disturbances in Malabar.