§ 17. Sir W. DAVISON (for Mr. CROOMJOHNSON)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to the responsibility of public Departments of State during the great War for the introduction of British warlike inventions to allied States, and to the fact that the Foreign Office was represented by counsel before the United States Commission on Awards to Inventors last August, he will consider the advisability of giving similar legal support and assistance to British claimants on the adjudication of their claims before such Commission when it resumes its sittings in the United States after this month?
§ Sir J. SIMONMy hon. and learned Friend has not, I think, quite appreciated the purpose for which the Crown is represented by counsel before the United States Commission which sat in London last August. Individual claimants presented their own cases, and the Crown assisted with information in regard to British procedure and in the production of documents from British official sources. Help of this sort will not, I think, be needed when the Commission resumes its sittings in the United States.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs my right hon. Friend aware that under the King's Regulations a, Service member has the Secretary of State for War as partner, and seeing that these inventions were as a rule introduced to a foreign Government by the British Government, does he not think it only fair that these inventors should have the benefit of legal advice in putting forward their claims with regard to inventions?
§ Sir J. SIMONIt was with that in mind that arrangements were made, when the American Commission was over here, to see that the Crown was represented. I am having more inquiries made, but I do not think any need will arise at the final stage.