§ 60 Mr. O'GRADYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office (1) whether any claim for recognition or reward has been received at the War Office for designing pattern 1914 Infantry equipment from any officer or person other than the Mills Equipment Company; if so, will he state the nature of the recognition or reward; and to what officer or person has such been granted; (2) whether there is any documentary evidence at the War Office showing that a design for Infantry equipment was submitted by an officer prior to the Mills Equipment Company taking out a patent for such Infantry equipment; if so, can any explanation be given as to why a private company was permitted to take out such patents and charge royalties on the manufacture of an equipment the design of which was placed at the disposal of the War Office by an officer on the active list; and (3) whether any inquiry has taken place into the claims of the Mills Equipment Company to be the patentees of the 1908 and 1914 Infantry equipment; if so, what is the result of such inquiries; and whether during the course of such inquiries payments of royalties have been suspended?
§ Mr. FORSTERIn reply to these questions, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his question of 4th July. Inquiry into the whole question is being made, but meanwhile I am afraid that I have nothing to add to that answer.