HC Deb 01 July 1908 vol 191 cc763-4
MR. TIMOTHY DAVIES (Fulharn)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has received representations from owners of British patents worked abroad to extend the time when they will be expected to have such patents adequately worked in the United Kingdom for one year or more beyond the period laid down in the Patents Act (Amendment), 1907; and if he has received such representations, what answers has he given them.

MR. CHURCHILL

No representations of the nature of those referred to by the hon. Member have been received.

MR. TIMOTHY DAVIES

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of patents worked in foreign countries which are affected by the Patents Act, 1907; how many of such patents are worked in the United States of America, Germany, and France respectively; does he anticipate any difficulties in carrying out the provisions of the Act; and can he state how many owners of such patents are already building factories or have taken or are about to take land to build factories in the United Kingdom in order to comply with the law.

MR. CHURCHILL

The Board of Trade have no information as to the number of patents worked in foreign countries that may be affected by the provisions of Section 27 of the Act referred to, nor have they any record of the number of the owners of such patents who are building or about to build factories in this country, though the number is no doubt considerable. I see no reason to anticipate that difficulties are likely to arise in carrying out the provisions of the section.

MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that German manufacturers have petitioned their Government to obtain, if possible by diplomatic means, an extension of the time-limit, under Section 27 of the Patents Act of last year, under which, unless a patentee makes use of his grant to an adequate extent within the United Kingdom within a year, it may be revoked; and whether the Board of Trade will resist any attempt to secure an extension of the time-limit.

MR. CHURCHILL

I have seen such statements in the Press, but have no official information. No change in the date on which Section 27 comes into operation could be made without further legislation.