MR. HANBURYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the total amount hitherto paid to Mr. Brennan and his colleagues as reward for the invention of, or as salary in connection with the manufacture of, the Brennan torpedo; whether the torpedo can be manufactured without the salaried assistance of these gentlemen; what are the conditions, if any, binding the War Office to continue such salaries; what new arrangement as to the continuance or otherwise of such salaries has been entered into; and what is the amount of these salaries?
* MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe total reward, or purchase money, for the invention was £110,000, and the salaries from January 18, 1887, to March 31 last amounted to £22,850, together £132,850. Previously to the first agreement for five years Mr. Brennan had a payment made to him for expenses, &c, of £5,000 in 1883, and of £1,000 a year, as salary, from 1883 to 1887, while developing the invention; but these payments were not rewards or salaries in connection with the manufacture. If they are included, the total payments to March 31 come to £14.1,850. The engagement of Mr. Brennan and his colleagues terminates on 233 March 31, 1895; and the War Office is not under any obligation to continue their employment beyond that date. The salaries are two of £1,500 and one of £500. The torpedo can be manufactured without the salaried assistance of these gentlemen; but in such case the Department would lose the advantage of their inventive ability, which has already effected great improvements since the weapon was first adopted.