§ MR. CAWLEY () Lancashire, PrestwichT beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has appointed a Departmental Committee to inquire into the facilities granted to inventors under the Patent Laws; and, if so, whether he will state the constitution of and the terms of reference to such Committee, and, in particular, whether the Committee is to inquire into the operation of Section 22 of the Patent Act, 1883, with regard to the powers of the Board of Trade to grant compulsory licences to work patents of which the public are being denied the due advantages.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonI answered a similar question put by the hon. Member for Dundee on the 20th of this month,* but I have no objection to 1217 repeating my reply. The Committee now sitting were appointed to consider various suggestions which have been made for developing the benefits afforded by the Patent Office to inventors, and is simply examining questions connected with the publications of the Patent Office. The importance of such an inquiry as thohoii. Member contemplates is fully recognised by me, and the matter is receiving my careful consideration. I am unable to make any statement at present.