§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the remarks of the Attorney-General in the paravane case before the Royal Commission on Claims in regard to the sum paid to Commodore Burney; and whether he will make a full statement as to the work done by that gentleman and the negotiations with Messrs. Vickers and the sum paid to him?
§ Sir J. CRAIGYes, Sir. The Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors in their recommendation attributed the main credit for the invention and development of the paravane to Lieutenant-Commander Burney and outlined the work that had been done by this officer. No money has been or will be paid to Lieutenant-Commander Burney out of Naval Funds in respect of the use of the invention in His Majesty's Navy. In accordance with the practice adopted in many other cases he was allowed to exploit some of the rights, other than in this respect. When such permission was given he was free to make his own arrangements with Messrs. Vickers as regards any apparatus supplied to merchant ships.