HC Deb 28 March 1923 vol 162 cc470-1
10. Major Sir GEORGE HAMILTON

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that Mr. J. M. Campbell laid before the Admiralty in 1891 his original and patentable proposals for the protection of ships from mines and torpedoes, and that he was then persuaded not to publish by patenting, or otherwise, his process, but to sign an agreement that he would accept the amount awarded to him by Parliament, and that these water-containing bulges, which were the design he submitted, have been used with great success on His Majesty's ships, he wilt say what payment the Admiralty has made to Mr. Campbell or proposes to make?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Commander Eyres-Monsell)

The bulges fitted to His Majesty's ships are the result of experiments carried out by the Admiralty prior to the War and the design adopted does not embody Mr. Campbell's proposals. His claim has been thoroughly investigated by the Admiralty and the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors, to whom Mr. Campbell applied, also considered it. The result was that Mr. Campbell failed to substantiate his claim, and the Admiralty do not propose to take any further action in the matter.

Sir G. HAMILTON

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman noted in my question that it was in 1891 this proposal was brought before the Admiralty; and how can experiments carried out during the War affect a pattern brought out in 1891?

Commander EYRES-MONSELL

Prior to the War.