§ MR. J. D. WHITE (Dumbartonshire)To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of registered patent agents; how many of the registered patent agents are members of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents; how many registered patent agents have had their names erased from the register of patent agents for disgraceful professional conduct since the register was begun under The Patents Act, 1888; and whether the comptroller of the Patent Office has had any dealings in reference to patent business with any of those whose names have been erased from the register for that cause since their names were so erased and since rule 81 of the Patents Rules, 1903, came into force.
(Answered by Mr. Kearley.) The number of registered patent agents was, on 6th July, 1906, 257. Of these, 157 are members of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents. The first entry made in the register is dated 2nd July, 1889, and since that date eight names have been erased from the register for disgraceful professional conduct. In patent cases pending, when an agent's name has been so erased, all persons for whom such agents is acting are informed of what has been done. In certain exceptional cases where the agent has already been paid for the completion of the work in hand and his client has asked that lie may be allowed to complete it, the comptroller has continued to recognise the man as agent until the work has been completed. In no other cases has the comptroller knowingly recognised as agent in patent business anyone whose name has been struck off the register for disgraceful professional conduct.