§ Sir R. Youngasked the Minister of Supply to explain the methods for dealing with suggestions sent to him for the mechanical improvements of existing, or new ideas for making, service weapons of warfare; what is the organisation, or who are the persons, responsible for considering 1648W and investigating such suggestions; and whether he can give an assurance that no suggestion likely to be of use is turned down without full inquiry?
§ Sir A. DuncanAny suggestion received by the Ministry of Supply is first examined by the inventions branch and if the idea is found to be wholly or partly new it is submitted for expert examination to the appropriate research or development branch. In promising cases, the fullest resources of development and trial are made available by the Ministry if the inventor does not himself possess them. The great importance of encouraging inventive genius is fully recognised and no proposal is rejected without the most searching inquiry.