§ 18. Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information in connection with a 19 year old second-lieutenant who was convicted at Newport, Isle of Wight, on Wednesday last, for dangerous driving, when he knocked down and killed a private of his unit; and whether the relatives will receive any compensation?
§ Sir V. WarrenderSo far as my information goes at present, it appears that the accident occurred between 11 and 12 o'clock at night. The officer was driving towards barracks when he struck the soldier, who was walking in the road in the same direction, with the right wing of his car. The soldier was taken to hospital and died there as the result of a fractured skull. At the inquest held on 23rd January, the verdict was "accidental death." I cannot say as to compensation until I have made further investigations, but I should like to take this opportunity of expressing sympathy with the soldier's relatives.