§ Captain Kerbyasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the late Commander Russell's death was caused through a combination of inefficiency on the part of Royal Naval personnel and defective equipment, he will ex gratia augment the gratuity of £1,577 5s., including a £450 killed-in-action grant, and total pensions of £559 7s. now being paid to the widow and two children, bearing in mind that this officer, at the age of 34 years, was earning a total of £2,409 at the time of his death.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingA number of factors contributed to cause this officer's death. The maximum awards applicable in this case have already been granted and I am sorry to say that I am not in a position to grant any increases. In addition to the sums mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend, Mrs. Russell receives an education allowance for her two children of £158 l1s. 0d.