§ Sir F. WISEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Dominion-born war inventors have won their claims before the Royal Commission; and how many have lost?
§ Mr. McNEILLI regret that I am unable to answer this question. Neither His Majesty's Treasury nor the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors have any information as to the place of birth of British subjects applying for awards.
§ Sir F. WISEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total sum paid British war inventors in the shape of 424W royalties, payments, or secret awards, but not mentioned in the Royal Commission Reports?
§ Mr. McNEILLInformation could not, without a large expenditure of time and labour, be made available to answer this question, which appears to cover all payments sanctioned by the Treasury before the appointment of the Royal Commission in March, 1919, and also all minor payments made by Departments in the exercise of the discretion delegated to them. I do not understand what is meant by "secret awards."
§ Sir F. WISEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if a claim has been made by any British officer for the invention of the electric U-boat net; if so, when and by whom?
§ Mr. McNEILLSo far as I am aware, no such claim has been made.
§ Sir F. WISEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many unsuccessful claimants of awards to inventors besides Mr. de Mole, the Australian, were paid expenses by the Treasury?
§ Mr. McNEILLTravelling expenses were allowed in two cases and in a third a sum was paid in respect of costs.