§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary of State for War if it is his intention to appoint a special board of inquiry into the casualties and damage which occurred during the recent Rhine Army exercises; how many non-military persons were injured; what disturbance was caused to roads during the exercises; in how many cases claims for compensation for damage have been submitted by German citizens; what is the total compensation claimed and for what damage; and what was the total cost of the manoeuvres.
§ Mr. ProfumoNo. Boards of Inquiry have been held into all releveant matters, and as I told the House on 25th October, I shall myself look at the proceedings of each relating to the fatal training accidents. Thirty-five non-military persons were injured. About 1,800 claims for compensation to property have been received, most of them for agricultural damage; they total about £185,000, of which £100,000 is in respect of damage to roads. Claims in respect of personal injury cannot be quantified until settled by the German authorities, who also pay 25 per cent. of all claims arising from acts or omissions on official duties. The extra cost of these manoeuvres to Army Votes was about £75,000.