§ 8. Mr. GLEDHILLasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of examiners employed by the Patent Office, their total remuneration, and the exact nature of their duties?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Examining Staff of the Patent Office numbers 308, and their total remuneration for the current financial year is £180,140, as shown on page 17 of the Civil Estimates, Class VI, Vote 1, where particulars will be found of the various grades and scales of salary. The duties of this staff are of a technical nature concerned with the examination and consideration of applications for 1471 Patents for inventions. If my hon. Friend desires to have further details of the duties I shall be happy to supply them.
§ Mr. GLEDHILLIs my right hon. Friend aware that these 300 odd examiners deal with only 400 specifications; and will he not consider, in the interests of economy, a reduction of the staff?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot accept those figures without careful examination.
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTHas any inquiry been made in recent years as to the work of this office; and would it not be desirable to have one made now?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot answer that question without notice.