§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that, in a case submitted to him, a lieutenant-commander, R.N., sent in to his Department an invention which was described in a letter from that Department as having been of value, but, because the contribution did not qualify for a Board letter of recognition, no recognition was made; 488W and whether he will revise these rules as discouraging invention on the part of officers in the Service.
Mr. Duģdale:The officer to whom the hon. Member refers was not in fact the originator of the idea in question, but one of several associated with its development. His individual contribution, although of value, was not held to justify a Board letter of recognition, which is restricted to cases of outstanding merit. I think the hon. Member will agree that it is important that this criterion should be maintained.