11. Mr. Charles Ian Orr-Ewingasked the Minister of Supply how many dollars have been received since 1945 from the United States of America for the use of radar patents; and, in particular, the strapped magnetron and the plan position indicator
§ Mr. G. R. StraussNone, for Government inventions. No information is available about payments to private persons or companies.
Mr. Orr-EwingIs the Minister not aware that these strapped magnetron patents are in the hands of the Ministry of Supply? I should have thought that it was up to the Minister of Supply to chase these dollars. Is the right hon. Gentle. man not aware that these radar patents are used in every sort of radar equipment in the air, on the ground and for airfield control? This could have been a valuable source of dollars in the last five years and could provide an enormous potential dollar income in the years to come.
§ Mr. StraussIt is not a question of chasing the dollars. The situation arose out of the relationship which was established between this country and the United States with regard to this matter during the war. As a result of that relationship, I am afraid that it is unlikely that we shall be able to obtain much in the way of patent licences as a result of inventions developed during the war.