§ 33. Mr. REMER (for Mr. HANNON)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet taken into con sideration the recommendations embodied in the report of the Departmental Committee on the Patents and Designs Acts; and if he has decided upon any measures which may reduce the period of delay which takes place in the examination of applications for patents at the Patents Office?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThis report is under consideration. As regards the second part of the question, there has already been some reduction in the delay in examining the complete specifications filed with applications for patents. Arrangements have been made to secure a further increase in the examining staff by an open competitive examination which has been announced for July next and it is hoped that the present improvement will continue at a steady and appreciable rate.