LORD CLAUD JOHN HAMILTONasked the Secretary of State for War, If Her Majesty's Government claim the right to have patented articles manufactured for them by private firms without payment of royalties to the patentees; and, whether they have ordered such patented articles in any case for the War Department, and have indemnified the manufacturers against the claim for royalty; and if such action has been taken on the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, under the advice of the Law Officers of the late Government, Her Majesty's Government do claim the right to have patented articles manufactured for them by private firms without payment of royalties to the patentees; and, although I might, perhaps, demur to any questions being put on legal proceedings now pending, I have no objection to state that the War Department have ordered such articles; and, in case of dispute, I shall take such measures as I may be advised are proper for maintaining the public right.