§ 10. Sir J. LONSDALEasked how many patents applied for in the names of alien, enemies have been granted under the powers conferred by the Trading With the Enemy Amendment (No. 2) Act passed last Session; if the patent in each case has been granted to the custodian of enemy property and if licences to use these patents have been and are being issued to British manufacturers; and if he will also state how many new applications for patents have been received from alien enemies during the present year?
Mr. HARCOURTThe benefit of three applications for patents by enemies or enemy subjects has already been vested in the Public Trustee under the provisions of the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1916, and the patents have been granted to the Public Trustee. In addition, steps are being taken to deal in the same manner with 2,200 applications for patents by enemies or enemy subjects. In one of the first-mentioned cases licences are in course of preparation, in another the application for a licence will shortly be heard, and in the third case an application for a licence was made but not proceeded with. It is open to any manufacturer to apply for a licence under any patent granted to an enemy or enemy subject or any application for a patent by such enemy or enemy subjects. One hundred and forty-six applications for patents have been received from enemies or enemy subjects during the present year.