§ 24. Mr. HANNONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how the sums of £6,000, £1,250, and £3,000, included in the Civil Service Estimates for 1923–24 for law charges connected with the administration of the Merchant Shipping Acts, Patents, Designs and Trade Marks Acts, and Crown Lands Act are made up; and whether these sums include any payments to the Law Officers of the Crown or the Treasury solicitor which may be reclaimed from other Departments?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Viscount Wolmer)I have been asked to reply. As the answer is rather long, perhaps my hon. Friend will permit me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPOET.
§ Mr. HANNONMay I ask the Noble Lord whether his right hon. Friend will not recognise the necessity of giving more details of this expenditure in the statement of the Estimates?
§ Viscount WOLMERI will see that that is conveyed to my right hon. Friend.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The sums referred to, amounting to-£10,250, which compare with a similar provision in the Estimates for 1922–23 of £12,000, represent a provision based on previous experience of law charges which may be incurred during the year for
- (a) Formal investigations into shipping casualties, including payments for the detention of witnesses for such investigations, prosecutions, for offences under the Merchant Shipping Acts, etc.;
- (b) Applications to the Court for prolongation of patents, appeals to the Court in respect of the registration of trade marks, and proceedings for the rectification of the register;
- (c) Expenses of investigating claims to foreshore adverse to the Crown.