§ 8. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEasked the President of the Board of Trade how many complete specifications filed in connection with applications for patents are awaiting first action by the examiner; and at what rate arrears are now accumulating?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSThe number of complete specifications filed in connection with applications for patents and awaiting first action by the examiner is about 8,400. The average rate of accumulation of arrears for the last 13 weeks was about 76 per week.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEDoes the hon. Gentleman anticipate any early reduction of this increase?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSThe situation has been giving me a good deal of anxiety for some months past, and special efforts have been made to add to the staff. 1748 Seventeen new appointments have been made since October; four of the new officials have not yet started duty, but will do so shortly. Steps have been taken to make further appointments, and I hope that the arrears will shortly begin to be overcome.
§ 9. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the report, signed in October last, of a committee under the auspices of the British Science Guild, in which several changes in the procedure of the Patents Office were recommended; and whether he proposs to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend proposes, in due course, to set up a committee to review existing patent law and practice; and it will, of course, be open to such a committee to consider the recommendations made in the report.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCECan the hon. Gentleman say when the President of the Board of Trade proposes to set up this Committee?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI cannot say off-hand. As the hon. Member knows, my right hon. Friend is in bed at the moment, and I have not had an opportunity of asking him on that point.