§ 18. Lieut.-Colonel JAMESasked the Home Secretary, whether the Wood-Renton Committee has completed its inquiries into the recent Queenstown outrage and decided upon the amount of compensation payable to the victims?
The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Thomas)I have been asked to reply. The Wood-Renton Commission is dealing with these cases as the victims of the outrage become convalescent. It would be against the interests of the patient to assess the compensation before ascertaining the full effect of the injury, and it will consequently be some time before all the cases are dealt with. Awards have been made in five cases of 565 minor injury as well as in the case of the man who was killed, and other cases have been heard this week.
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESWould the right hob. Gentleman say whether any ex gratia payments are being made to the victims on account?
Mr. THOMASYes: there is the case of a mother and the sister £1,250 has been paid in that case. I know there are other cases where amounts have been paid in anticipation.