§ SIR J. LENG () DundeeI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in appointing the Committee to inquire into the working of the Patent Office, he had in view the serious disadvantages British inventors and manufacturers suffer from the inferior service of the English Patent Office, in contrast with the American and German Patent Offices, in not examining into the originality of applications; whether any inventors or manufacturers, or any representative of the patent agents outside the Chartered Institute were appointed on the Committee; whether any amendment of the patent laws or any reduction in the present renewal fees is contemplated; and when the report of the Committee will be presented to Parliament.
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe inquiry that is now being made is more limited in its scope than the question of the hon. Gentleman would seem to imply, but the importance of such an inquiry as the hon. Member contemplates is fully recognised by me, and the matter is receiving my careful consideration. I am not however able to make any announcement at present.