§ GENERAL SIR WILLIAM CROSSMAN (Portsmouth)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he would state to the House who is the inventor of the new Magazine Rifle now being issued to the Army; what reward has he received, or is he to receive; is the invention patented; what is the nature of the cartridge and powder now used with this rifle; who is the inventor; what reward has he received, or is he to receive; and, is the invention patented?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE, Lincoln, Horncastle)The Magazine Ride is a composite weapon, portions of which are due to different inventors, and the same remark applies to the cartridge. Patent rights are claimed as regards some of the parts, and they will be fully and carefully investigated before the question of reward is decided. Up to this time no rewards have been paid.