§ MR. MARJORIBANKS (Berwickshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office asked the Indian Government £5 10s. a piece for magazine rifles to be supplied to it, or at what price these rifles are now being offered to the Indian Government; and whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the Correspondence which has passed between the War Office and the Government of India on this subject; and whether, before it is "decided what royalty or other payment shall be made in connection" with Mr. Speed's patents affecting the new magazine rifle, an opportunity will be given to this House of expressing its opinion on any such proposed decision?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE, Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The Government of India will take two-fifths of their supply from contractors, and the remaining two-fifths from Government Factories at a higher price, thus sharing with the Government the higher price, which is the rule in regard to contract made weapons. My answer to the second question of the right hon. Gentlemen is, that by the Patents Act, 46 and 47 Victoria, Cap. 57, Sec. 27, the responsibility rests with the Treasury of approving the payments which may be awarded for royalties.
§ MR. MARJORIBANKSCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether the Government did ask £5 10s. each for the rifles supplied by them to India?
§ MR. E. STANHOPECertainly, Sir; I told the right hon. Gentleman about it the other day. £4 15s. was the cost of preparing them (without the bayonet) at the ordnance factories, and £4 at the 302 works of the contractor. Three-fifths came from the ordnance factories and two-fifths from the contractors.