§ 38. Sir J. Barlowasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement about the recent industrial property conference in Lisbon, which revised the Industrial Property Convention.
§ Mr. J. RodgersThe conference made a number of small but useful improvements in the international machinery for the protection of inventions and Trade Marks. After seventy-five years, English was added to French as an official language of the Industrial Property Union and its Secretariat. Her Majesty's Government have accepted the invitation, expressed by unanimous resolution of the countries represented, to increase the members' annual contribution to the expenses of running the Union. We propose to ratify the Convention if the comparatively minor legislation necessary meets with the approval of Parliament.
§ Sir J. BarlowCan my hon. Friend tell me first what cost this will involve the Government in and secondly what legislation may be required?
§ Mr. RodgersOur share of the expenses will now be a relatively modest 310 one of 29,880 Swiss francs. The only legislation required is an extension from three to six months of the time allowed for payment of renewal fees for patents and designs. This will be introduced when Parliamentary time permits.