HC Deb 15 February 1900 vol 79 cc75-6
MR. WEIR (and Cromartie) ROSS

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the inventor of the Brotherhood depression range finder, on taking out provisional protection for his invention, offered it to the War Office for inspection and trial, and was informed that it could not be considered unless he first submitted to the authorities two complete sets of drawings; and will he state whether it is the practice of the War Office to place similar restrictions on inventions submitted to the Department; and, if so, will he say whether the rule can be so modified that inventors may not be discouraged and driven to offer their inventions to foreign Governments.

*MR. WYNDHAM

Yes, Sir. Drawings are invariably required, and are obviously essential.

MR. WEIR

What is the object of having drawings when you have the article itself to experiment with?

[No answer was given.]

MR. WEIR

In consequence of the unsatisfactory reply I shall take the earliest opportunity of calling attention to the action of the War Office in this matter.