HC Deb 27 July 1922 vol 157 cc680-2
43. Major COLFOX

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the machine-gur belt invented by Mr. W. de C. Prideaux was almost exclusively used by our Air Force and that of our Allies in the Great War with complete satisfaction and the saving of many lives; that Mr. Prideaux made a claim against the American Government in May, 1918; that this claim was admitted, but, under the terms of the Bolling Agreement, became a liability on the British Government; that Mr. Prideaux has since 1918 made repeated attempts to get his case settled and the money paid which is due to him; that he sacrificed the whole of his professional practice and other resources to do this important work for his country and her Allies; and that his health has completely broken down; will he say when the case will be heard and disposed of by the Royal Commission on Inventions; and, seeing that it is not disputed that a large sum is due to him, though the actual amount is not yet fixed, will he arrange to pay Mr. Prideaux some substantial sum pending a final settlement?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hilton Young)

The answer is a long one, and, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

I am informed that a machine-gun belt embodying certain improvements suggested or invented by Mr. Prideaux was used by the British Air Service and by the United States Air Service during the latter half of the War. No information is available as to its use by other Allied Services.

The date at which Mr. Prideaux presented his claim to the United States Government is not known, though it is known that such a claim was made and that the United States Government on the 5th August, 1920, offered Mr. Prideaux the sum of $15,000 in full settlement thereof. The offer was not accepted and negotiations were broken off by the United States Government on 24th June, 1921, that Government being then of opinion that the claim should be met by the British Government under the Bolling Agreement. The claim was afterwards presented to the British Government on 17th November, 1921, and arrangements are being made for a hearing of the claim before the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors and the Commission appointed by the American Government.

Mr. Prideaux offered his services to the War Office in 1915, and the invention was made while he was still employed by them. The whole of the expenses of developing and testing the invention was borne by the War Office and Mr. Prideaux was awarded a sum of £5,000 in respect of the user of his invention by the British Air Service, plus £1,600 in respect of personal expenses incurred by him. These sums were accepted by Mr. Prideaux in full settlement of his claim in respect of the British Government's user of his invention. He has, however, put forward a further claim in respect of such user and this claim will be heard by the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors.

I have no information with regard to the state of his health.

The procedure to be adopted for dealing with claims under the Bolling Agreement has involved prolonged discussion with the United States Government, but it is hoped that the arrangements now made will make it possible for Mr. Prideaux's claim to be heard and disposed of before the end of the year.

It is not possible for His Majesty's Government to act in anticipation of the decision of the Royal Commission, and I regret that I am unable to authorise any interim payment to Mr. Prideaux as suggested.