§ 27. Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he permits dollar currency to be paid to the United States of America for the performing rights of the game called "Twenty Questions," evidence of the playing of which game in this country over 100 years ago has been sent to him.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerSuch payments are freely allowed, on reasonable evidence that they art: properly due.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that such payments should be made in the cases to which I have drawn his attention, where they are quite clearly not properly due in view of the fact that performing rights are claimed for this game which was played as long ago as 11th October, 1845, by three Members of the then Cabinet?
§ Mr. ButlerI have a very interesting paper of 105 years ago describing the playing of the game "Twenty Questions," but I am informed that in modern times copyright could subsist in the literary form in which the rules of the game are expressed. I therefore cannot alter the the form or nature of my answer.