HC Deb 08 February 1938 vol 331 cc817-8
13. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade what British firm or firms have any arrangements with the Mitsui Company; what are the arrangements; and what are the financial arrangements?

Mr. Stanley

I have no information about any arrangement between undertakings in this country and the Mitsui Company of Japan.

14. Mr. Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department have any knowledge whether any relations or arrangements of any kind exist between any British firms and the Nippon Steel Company or the Kabushiki Kaisha Nihon Seiko-Sho Company; are any British patents or rights used by these companies; if so, through whom; and what are the financial arrangements?

Mr. Stanley

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the remainder of the question, two United Kingdom patents have been granted during the past 15 years to the Kabushiki Kaisha Nihon Seiko-Sho Company. These patents are still in force, but no information is available as to whether they are being worked in this country, nor does the Register of Patents contain any entry recording any dealings therein by means of licences or otherwise. I have no information as to whether these companies have acquired any rights or interests in any other United Kingdom patents.

Mr. Smith

In view of the fact that a number of big steel monopolists in this country have financial interests in these Japanese companies, will not the President of the Board of Trade use his influence to deal with this matter?

Mr. Stanley

I have given the hon. Gentleman all the information that I have on the subject. If he has something in mind which I do not know, perhaps he will let me know.