§ 49. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the nature of the claims that are being made on the Government in respect of the Frazer-Nash patents, rights, and inventions; what is the amount of the claim; and what is the Government's estimated value of these patents and inventions?
§ The Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip)Claims have been made against the Government in respect of the use of the inventions of Captain Archibald Frazer-Nash, mainly in connection with gun turrets. These matters are at present under negotiation with the claimants, and in these circumstances it is not desirable to state either the amount of the claims or the Government's estimate of the value of these patents and inventions.
§ Sir Joseph NallMay I ask whether the claims are all of alien origin?
§ Sir T. InskipThe claims are not of alien origin as far as I know.
§ Captain Sir Derrick GunstonIs it not a fact that this company was the pioneer of the idea of power-driven gun turrets?
§ Sir T. InskipYes, Sir, I think that is the case.
§ 50. Mr. E. Smithasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he can give a list of firms who are making claims from the Government in respect 1986 of patent rights and inventions; and how many of the claims are for, directly or indirectly, other than British firms?
§ Sir T. InskipI regret that it is not in the public interest to give the names of firms who are making claims from the three Service Departments in respect of patent rights and inventions, but I am informed that the total number of such firms is 129, and that of these 29 claims are being made by or on behalf of other than British firms.