§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will lay upon the Table any correspondence that has taken place between the Indian and Victorian Governments and the authorities at home on the subject of the magazine rifle; if he can state what royalty, if any, is claimed or paid in connection with the charges that may arise out of its magazine rifles manufactured by private firms; and whether such royalty is included in, or is additional to, the stated contract price?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE, Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The correspondence with the Victorian Government consists solely of a demand, and its postponement. That with India, as regards pattern and other questions, extends over a number of years, and is very bulky; but that which relates solely to the supply of magazine rifles shall be placed in the Library, and printed if any one moves for it. Nothing has been paid to any one in respect of rifles manufactured for the Government by private firms. The remuneration, if any, to patentees will be settled in accordance with the regulations which I explained last week. In respect of rifles manufactured for the public, the Royalty claimed by the Lee Syndicate is 8s. 9d. The rifles marked "Lee-Speed" are not Government rifles, and we accept no responsibility for them.
§ MR. HANBURYWill the 8s. 9d. mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman last week be added to the price of each rifle?
§ MR. E. STANHOPENo, Sir; that is the price charged to the public.