HL Deb 28 June 1852 vol 122 cc1336-7

Commons' Amendments considered (according to Order).

LORD COLCHESTER

moved that the Amendments be agreed to.

EARL GRANVILLE

considered that the Bill would be much better if the Amendments of the Commons were excluded. He particularly objected to the Amendments introduced into the 4th and 18th Clauses.

LORD BROUGHAM

should by no means recommend their Lordships to disagree with the Commons' Amendments. The Bill as it stood was a great improvement upon the old patent law, and he should recommend their Lordships to do nothing that should endanger the Bill for the present Session.

LORD CAMPBELL

was understood to agree with his noble and learned Friend that the Bill was an improvement upon the present system.

EARL GREY

thought, at the risk of not passing the Bill, their Lordships ought not to concur in passing the Amendments of the Commons. The effect of one clause would be to deprive the Colonial Legislatures of the power of granting patents. It was proposed to supersede their authority by that of the Crown. He had so strong an objection to the Amendments to the 18th Clause that he should move that their Lordships disagree to them.

The LORD CHANCELLOR

observed that it was not proposed to supersede the right of the Colonial Legislatures; but the power of granting patents in the Colonies was at present vested in the Crown.

EARL GREY

If the Crown possessed the power, which is doubtful, practically it had waived it.

Some Amendments agreed to; some disagreed to; and a Committee appointed to prepare Reasons to be offered to the Commons for the Lords disagreeing to certain of the said Amendments: The Committee to meet immediately: The Committee reported Reasons prepared by them: The same were read, and agreed to; and a Message was ordered to be sent to the Commons to return the said Bill, with the Amendments and Reasons.