§ 4. Mr. RALPH BEAUMONTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can make any statement concerning the accident which occurred in His Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, last Thursday, in which one man was killed and three injured?
§ 5. Mr. THORNEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received a report from the officer in charge of His Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, in regard to the death of an employé caused by an accident when dismantling a set of iron sheers; and whether compensation is to be paid to the widow?
§ The CIVIL LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Captain Euan Wallace)The Board of Admiralty very much regret the accident resulting in the death of one man and injuries to three others which occurred on Thursday last during the dismantling of a 70-ton sheer legs in Portsmouth Dockyard. These sheer legs had become obsolete on account of the installation of more modern lifting appliances and were in process of removal for subsequent disposal. The operation was carried out with every precaution, but unfortunately fractures of the metal occurred causing the legs to fall and resulting in the casualties described. An inquest has been held and a verdict of accidental death returned. Any claim by the widow for compensation will be dealt with under the Government scheme of compensation framed under the Workmen's Compensation Acts.