§ 2. Colonel DAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large quantities of foreign wireless valves are being imported into this country, and that some of these valves are an infringement upon patent rights held by British manufacturers; that recently several retailers in a small way of business have received writs, issue by the British Thomson-Houston Manufacturing Company, Limited, who allege infringement of their patent rights; and whether, in view of the hardship inflicted upon these small traders, he is prepared to cause importers of such goods into this country to make declaration to the effect that the said goods do not infringe patent rights held by British manufacturers?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am aware that wireless valves are being im 728 ported into the United Kingdom, and I understand that during the last 12 months legal proceedings have been taken by the British Thomson Houston Company against six infringers, four of whom are importers; all these firms are wholesalers, but two do a retail business also. In each case the proceedings were successful. I have no power to require importers of wireless valves to make any such declaration as that suggested in the last part of the question.