§ 44. Mr. Hugh Fraserasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied with the present arrangements for the registering of patents by Germans, and for the safeguarding of these patents internationally, including mutual respect for those registered in the Eastern and Western zones; and what further steps he proposes to take in the matter.
Mr. McNeilNo, Sir, but they are the best we have as yet been able to achieve. The German authorities concerned are taking administrative steps to convert as soon as possible the present patent filing office into a functional office for which we, in conjunction with the United States Government, are seeking international recognition.
§ Mr. H. FraserIs the right hon. Gentleman fully aware of the present handicap this is to German recovery, in that no one can bring forward an invention of any sort without the fear of its not being properly safeguarded? Is this not something which ought to be very energetically pursued.
Mr. McNeilI am aware of these difficulties, and we are making such provision as we can, and we will join in seeking to have these patents internationally recognised.