§ 6. Mr. ARCHDALEasked the Secretary of State for War if any reward was offered to the inventor of the Reid targets beyond the payment of his experimental expenses?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)I am informed that in January, 1915, Mr. Reid was offered £250 in full discharge of all claims against His Majesty's Government and in full recognition of his services rendered in connection with target frames, and that the offer was accepted.
§ 7. Mr. ARCHDALEasked what were the number of Reid targets used by the War Department during the War; what was the contract price paid; and what was the average cost for targets and erections of some of the types previously used, respectively, i.e., Jeffrey and Carey or Hythe patterns?
§ Mr. FORSTERFive thousand five hundred wooden target frames similar in pattern to the old Reid frame were used as an emergency measure on rifle ranges during the War; the contract price was £3 7s. 6d. per frame. This was a special contract for 1914 only, and could not be repeated now.
The War Department standard pattern "Hythe" iron target frame manufactured by the late Mr. Jefferies is still in use on permanent War Department ranges. The contract price was £6 17s. 6d. per frame complete, which has since been increased by 57½ per cent.
It is difficult to give the average cost for erection accurately, as a considerable 1411 number were put up by military labour, but it would be about 25s. to 30s. per frame.
§ Mr. ARCHDALEDid not the inventor's contractor offer to supply these targets with metal frames for £2 2s. each at the outbreak of war?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am afraid I cannot answer that question without inquiry.