§ Mr. ALLEN PARKINSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the compensation paid to W. Wadison, 54, Woodhouse Lane, Wigan, who met with an accident at Royal Naval Gun Factory, Westhoughton, Lancashire, on 14th February, 1922, losing three fingers of his left hand, was£2 7s. 6d. per week, which should have been continued for six months; and that at the end of five months, i.e., 15th July, 1922, his compensation was reduced to £1 per week; whether he will have this case inquired into and the arrears due paid to him at once; and, seeing that this man is permanently disabled, will work be found for him when ready for work, or will he consider the question of commutation so that this man may take up some other business?
§ Mr. AMERYWadeson was in receipt of hurt pay at the rate of £2 Ss. 6d. (not1710W £2 7s. 6d.) a week up to the 15th ultimo, when the factory was closed, and he was discharged from Admiralty employment. He then ceased to be entitled to hurt pay, but, pending consideration of his claim to compensation, he was awarded a provisional allowance of £1 a week. This was the rate appropriate to the impairment of his earning capacity (materially impaired) as assessed by the local medical officer. Wadeson has now been awarded a temporary weekly allowance at the rate of 35s. a week, payable as from the date of the cessation of hurt pay, and subject to review in six months, or earlier, if the man obtains employment. This allowance is at the maximum rate appropriate to total loss of earning capacity, and includes 15s. a week temporary War addition. Authority for payment at the increased rate, with arrears, is being issued. It is not practicable to allow commutation at the present stage, as it is not possible to estimate the permanent effects of the injury. I regret that it is not possible to find further employment for this man.