§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of 320W Munitions whether he is aware that Miss Mabel Beresford was severely injured in the Barnbow explosion in December, 1916, and is totally disabled owing to loss of a leg, scalp injuries, and minor shrapnel wounds; that she has been waiting for over four months for a further surgical operation owing to the Ministry of Munitions Compensation Department not being willing to pay 12s. per day to the Leeds General Infirmary; that her condition is serious; that this girl has no parents and is in lodgings and her compensation is only 21s. per week, being based on the 1916 rate of wages; and whether he will make proper financial and medical provision for her?
Mr. HOPEI would remind the hon. Member that the Workmen's Compensation Act does not provide for surgical treatment. The weekly payment of 21s. is the maximum amount that the Ministry can pay under the provisions of the Act of 1906 and the amending Acts of 1917 and 1919, but the Ministry as an "act of grace" provided an artificial limb. Arrangements are now being made for admission to the Samaritan Hospital at Bradford, where treatment will be provided at the expense of the Ministry. I may add that, owing to the fact that there was a long waiting list for the Leeds Infirmary, it was quite impossible for treatment to be given there.