§ Sir F. WISEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Mr. de Mole's (the Australian) claim for the tank invention was rejected by the Royal Commission on Awards; and, if this is so, why was he paid £987?
§ Mr. WALSHI have been asked to reply. Mr. de Mole's invention was originally submitted before the War. It was not then accepted by the authorities, and had no bearing on the actual adoption, some years afterwards, of tanks. The Royal Commission were consequently un able to recommend Mr. de Mole for an award, inasmuch as he had failed to show any causal connection between his invention and the user of any similar invention by the Government. In view, however, of the intrinsic merits of Mr. de Mole's invention, the Commission felt regret for their inability to make an award, and recommended that the446W Ministry of Munitions should deal sympathetically with any claim for out-of-pocket expenses which Mr. de Mole might put forward. The sum of £987 was paid by the Ministry accordingly.