§ MR. COXsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Attorney General, Whether it is his intention to bring in a Bill this Session to amend the laws relating to Patents?
THE ATTORNEY GENERALSir, a Bill has been in course of preparation with the full expectation of its being introduced this Session, but further consideration has rather added to the difficulties attendant on the subject, and I believe it will be hopeless to think of passing such a measure this Session. While on my legs I desire to add something to the answer I gave last night to the question put by the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Ferrand). Since then I have received a letter from Mr. Welch, the Registrar of the Leeds Court of Bankruptcy, which ought to have reached me yesterday, before I made my statement. Mr. Welch, in that letter, re quests me to make a statement which in one point would have added more complete ness to the answer which I then gave. With regard to himself, Mr. Welch states that he was unconditionally appointed by the Lord Chancellor in July last to the 393 office of Registrar of the Bankruptcy Court at Leeds, and that he was not, and has not since been in precarious health. With respect to Mr. Bethell (whom I understand to have been upon a private visit to Mr. Welch at Leeds, in February last), he says—
That Mr. Bethell did not attend the Leeds Court of Bankruptcy in February last, or at any other time; and that all the officials to whom he has spoken, deny that Mr. Bethell ever told any of them that he was appointed Registrar, or that they ever said so; and they add that they do not even know Mr. Bethell's personal appearance.I may add that I have seen a letter from Mr. Bethell himself, substantially to the same effect.