§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any, and if any, how many, patents for inventions adopted in the new magazine rifle, stand in the names of Government officials, or servants, and how many in the names of other persons; whether he has made full inquiry into the validity of these patents, especially those standing in the names of persons not in the Government service; and, whether any sum has been decided upon as the price or acknowledgment to be paid for the several patents; and, if so, what is the amount in each case?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEThere are alleged patents connected with parts of the new magazine rifle. A very full inquiry as to their validity will be made before any question of payment or compensation for rights under them will be considered. At present I do not admit that there are any patents connected with parts of the new rifle which give anyone a claim to compensation.
§ MR. HANBURYIs it not the fact that the War Office made application to the Treasury to pay the sum of very nearly £60,000?
§ MR. E. STANHOPENo; certainly not.