§ 2. Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement regarding the 924 circumstances of the death of Brian Hodgkinson, a 16-year-old seaman, following his collapse on H.M.S. "Maidstone" at Weymouth on 15th October, 1956.
§ Mr. BrockwayWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for that report, may I ask whether he is aware that this boy had vomiting attacks at sea since last April, which were proved by the postmortem to be not normal sea sickness but due to intestinal obstruction, that the boy went on leave because of dread of these vomiting attacks and that he was placed in punishment cells and died three days later? In view of the circumstances, will the hon. Gentleman look into this case, seek to remedy any medical defects of administration and please give an ex gratia payment to the mother of the boy?
Mr. WardI cannot deal with all the points now, but I have dealt with them faithfully in my letter to the hon. Member. I would, however, say that the boy had constant medical attention, not only from Service doctors but from civilian doctors also, and none of them immediately diagnosed the cause of his death.
§ Mr. BrockwayIn view of that unsatisfactory reply, I ask leave to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.