§ Lord APSLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the widow of Captain Charles Samuel Harris, of Southampton, who was torpedoed in the War and who, owing to the hardship and strain, died in October, 1923, has been awarded £8 only in respect. of loss of wages during his long and painful illness and for medical expenses; and whether, in view of the inadequacy of this payment., he proposes to recommend more generous treatment of widows of men who did such good service in the War?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe £8 referred to was a grant out of the £300,000 provided for solatia to belated claimants made to Mrs. Harris on her claim in respect of her deceased husband's lost effects, Captain Harris having already been paid £50 by the Board of Trade on this same account. Loss of wages does not constitute loss or damage within the provisions of the Reparation part of the Treaty of Versailles. Captain Harris died from rheumatic fever on 20th October, 1923, without having made any claim, except with respect to his lost effects. Mrs. Harris also claimed for personal injury to her deceased husband, but the Royal Commission declined to entertain any claim for personal injury unless the claim had been made by the sufferer. No claim in respect of Captain Harris's death could arise in connection with the £300,000, since the death was not directly caused by enemy action. In the circumstances, it is not possible to increase the grant in question.
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