§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)My Lords, this Bill is for the purpose of relieving patentees during the continuance of the present war from taking those steps entailed by legislation to secure the Working of their patents in the United Kingdom. In the Patents and Designs Act, 1907, provision is made for the revocation of any patent granted in this country if within four years of the date on which it is granted the patented article or process is not manufactured or carried on within the United Kingdom. Unless a patent is put into operation here within four years of the date On which it is granted the patent lapses unless the patentee can adduce satisfactory reasons. I understand that this section has generally given satisfaction, but it is obvious that owing to the war the conditions have entirely changed. It is impossible now for manufacturers to obtain the necessary labour and materials and therefore this condition should not be insisted upon during the war. All that this Bill does is to suspend this condition during the war and for a period of six months thereafter. An Amendment was introduced in another place which provided that "in reckoning the period of four years mentioned in the said section, the period during which that section is suspended, by virtue of this Act, shall not be taken into account"; and this, I understand, has been generally approved. I am quite aware that the House does not approve of the passage of Bills through all their stages at one sitting unless they are urgent, and I do not say that this Bill is urgent in the strict sense of the word. At the same time it would be very convenient if your Lordships would allow the remaining stages to be taken to-day in order that the Bill may receive the Royal Assent this afternoon. Similar legislation has been passed both in France and Italy, 422 and it is most desirable from every point of view that patentees in this country should be equally secured.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Duke of Devonshire.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a.
§ Committee negatived: Then (Standing Order No. XXXIX having been suspended) Bill read 3a, and passed.