§ Mr. T. M. HEALYasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a mason, named William Bowdren, of Rathcormac, county Cork, was injured in the leg while laying concrete blocks for the War Department at Kilworth camp by a block falling on him on 6th May last; whether, although since disabled, the Chief Crown Solicitor for Ireland has written denying liability; and whether the Government, as employers, decline to accept the same burdens which are imposed on ordinary masters whose workmen are injured?
§ Mr. HAROLD BAKERThe War Department is unable to accept Mr. Bowdren's account of the manner in which he sustained his injury. None of the other men employed upon the works at the time can support his statement, and Mr. Bowdren himself did not report having received any accident until two days after it is alleged to have occurred. The War Department has every wish to meet any liability which is imposed upon employers by the Workmen's Compensation Act, but in this case the Department is advised that the claim for compensation cannot be admitted.