Sir G. HAMILTONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors has not allowed a hearing to any naval patrol skipper's claim for U-boat net inventions; when such claims were considered; and whether there is any prospect of any award being made in the near future?
§ Mr. PETHICK- LAWRENCEIn December, 1919, the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors considered a claim from Mr. A. Close regarding the use of an electric wire net and buoy contrivance, and were not prepared to recommend that any remuneration should be allowed to him in respect thereof. Certain other claims have been received from naval patrol skippers and these, in accordance with the normal practice of the Commission in the case of claims not 525W based on any actual patented invention, were in the first instance referred to the Commission's investigating committee, over which the chairman presides in person. This committee decided that the claims afforded no reasonable prospect of success, and were not suitable for consideration by the Commission as a body. There are no claims in respect of U-boat net inventions at present before the Commission.