10. Mr. McKieasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is now in a position to make a further statement regarding the claim for patent rights of Mr. Buchanan Reith.
§ Mr. AlexanderNo, Sir. Mr. Reith, through his solicitors, has expressed dissatisfaction with the payment offered ex gratia in settlement of his claims. I cannot at present say anything more on the subject.
Mr. McKieIs not the First Lord aware that the ex gratia payment offered to this Gentleman is, in the opinion of Mr. Reith, totally inadequate, and that Mr. Reith's brother, a distinguished former Cabinet Minister and a Member of this House, is fairly of the opinion that he is entitled to a much more substantial payment than that offered by the First Lord?
§ Mr. AlexanderI could not base the Department's judgment of the value of services simply on the opinion of a-brother, however distinguished. I must leave it to the technical advisers to deal with and, if need be, to the legal channels.
Mr. McKieIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of that answer I give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.
§ Mr. AlexanderI am not sure how the hon. Gentleman proposes to raise it. This matter is very largely sub judice.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat remains to be seen.