§ SIR GEORGE STUCLEYsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State 1104 for War, Whether, previous to the disposal of any portion of the £22,800 proposed to be given to inventors, he is willing to appoint a Committee to inquire into the claims of Messrs. Whitworth, Jeffery, Padwick, Lynall Thomas, Lancaster, and Captain Scott, all of whom have devoted much time, labour, and money in the improvement of rifled ordnance and projectiles, and have hitherto not been rewarded?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTON, in reply, said, Government had no intention to appoint any such Committee. There was already a department in the War Office which inquired very fully and thoroughly into these matters, but apart from that there was really nothing for a Committee to inquire into. He was not aware that Mr. Whitworth had made a claim; Mr. Jeffery had received a reward, Mr. Padwick had been offered a sum of money which he had refused, Mr. Lynall Thomas had become bankrupt, Mr. Lancaster had received a handsome sum, with which he was satisfied, and Captain Scott had made no claim.