HC Deb 19 December 1938 vol 342 c2494W
Mr. Thorne

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can give any information in connection with the explosion on the destroyer "Woolston," on Monday last, when a seaman lost the top joints of four fingers; what compensation will be paid; and what kind of work will he be able to do?

Colonel Llewellin

This unfortunate accident was due to hangfire of a cartridge during sub calibre firing, and resulted in injury to the hands of one man, with whom I should like to express my sympathy. The compensation paid will depend upon the degree of permanent disablement resulting from the injury found to exist on the man's discharge from the Royal Navy. It will probably be impossible for some months to estimate the man's ultimate capacity for work.