§ Mr. BRACEasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the property of Mr. T. O. Bevan, 10, Paget Place, Penarth, was damaged by reason of the firing from Penarth Battery in July or August, 1912; whether he is aware that Mr. Bevan applied to the Army Council 441W for compensation for the damage done, and that the Army Council declined to pay compensation; if he will reconsider Mr. Bevan's claim; and, if the law as it at present exists is not sufficient to allow the Army Council to meet such a claim for compensation, will he introduce legislation of such a kind and character as will permit compensation to be paid for damage clone to citizens' property by Artillery firing?
§ Colonel SEELYI think my hon Friend is referring to the case of Mr. T. O. Bowen, whose claim was fully considered. The claim was refused on the ground that there is no liability for damage due to the reasonable and proper use of forts and batteries unless the firing be of an abnormal character, or there be carelessness on the part of the responsible military authorities. This rule must necessarily be of uniform application, and I am not aware of any special reasons for reconsidering the case in question.