§ 86. Sir EDWARD CARSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether patent agents are allowed to enter into communications with and receive communications from inventors in Germany who desire to protect their inventions in this country by filing specifications in the Patent Office; whether any special licences are granted for that purpose; if so, will he say through what channels such communications are conducted; and whether all such communications are submitted to any Department of the Government?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Albert Stanley)Patent agents are permitted to enter into and receive the communications referred to by general licence of the Board of Trade. Such communications are made through agents in neutral countries, and are subject to censorship in the ordinary way by the Postal Censor.
§ Sir E. CARSONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think the time has come 1726 when we should stop all negotiations on this matter of inventions, having regard to the sinking of our hospital ships?
§ Sir A. STANLEYI said on Monday last that this matter was being very carefully considered, and I hope to be able to convey our decision to the House very shortly.