§ 37. Captain WRIGHTasked the Minister of Munitions if, when unrestricted permission is given by the head of a Department other than the Inventions Department, to an official to apply for a patent in his own name, that permission includes the right to use Government time and materials and the services of other Government officials for preparing the detailed plans and specifications required by the Patent Office?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe reply to the hon. and gallant Friend's question is No, Sir.
§ 38. Captain WRIGHTasked the Minister of Munitions whether the retort for which Mr. Bradley was allowed by the head of his Department to apply for a patent is merely an adaptation of the Richards' retort, the working drawings of which had been placed at the disposal of the Government?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe Richards' low-temperature retort and process appear to have been fully described in the "Journal of Gas Lighting" on 8th April, 1913, so presumably the method was well known. It is stated in this report that the invention had already been patented by Mr. Richards, and therefore it would not appear that any subsequent patent granted four and a half years later would in any way prejudice Mr. Richards' patent. No trace can be found of any working drawings having been placed at the disposal of the Department in which Mr. Bradley was working. The two methods seem to present considerable differences.
§ Captain WRIGHTThe question is whether the hon. Gentleman will hold an inquiry into this matter, about which he knows there has been considerable complaint, and information concerning which was sent to Lord Crewe's Committee some time ago?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYMy hon. and gallant Friend is aware that the information was examined by Lord Crewe's Committee and they found there had been nothing improper. If there is any new fact we shall be glad to consider it.
§ Captain WRIGHTWas not the answer that I was given before that this matter did not come within the terms of reference of Lord Crewe's Committee?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYIf what I have stated is not in strict accordance with what took place I shall be glad to examine it, but that is my recollection of what I said.