HC Deb 18 April 1923 vol 162 cc2059-60
119. Mr. MOSLEY

asked the Home Secretary whether he will inquire into the case of E. A. Taylor, late prison warder at Wandsworth Gaol, who it is alleged was the subject of a murderous attack by a convict while in discharge of his duties and was thereby permanently injured, and, as a consequence, is subject to epileptic fits; whether Taylor has ever received any compensation; and, if not, whether, as he is now destitute, with a wife and two children dependent upon him, he can see his way to grant this man some compensation?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for West Bromwich on the 1st of December last, this case was the subject of an exhaustive medical examination in 1906 and has been frequently and carefully considered by my predecessors in office. I have recently myself reviewed all the evidence, and I cannot find any ground for questioning the conclusion previously arrived at that Taylor's condition could not be attributed to any injury received by him in the course of his temporary employment as a warder at Wandsworth Prison. I greatly regret this conclusion, particularly in view of the man's present circumstances, but it will be clear from what I have said that there is no ground upon which any payment of compensation from public funds could be justified.

Mr. MOSLEY

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that this warder was severely injured in the course of discharging his duties, and does he now argue that there is no fund existing from which this man can be compensated?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Investigation distinctly shows that the present condition of this warder is not due to those injuries. I should be very glad to show the hon. Member further particulars about the ease, which is a very sad one.

Mr. MOSLEY

If it can be shown that these injuries were received while performing his duties, is there any fund out of which he can be compensated?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Yes, I think there is such a fund if it can be shown that the injuries were inflicted during the performance of his duties, but I am not quite sure how that can be done in this case.