§ 48. Mr. Huntasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the light of representations from patent agents and the difficulties of finding a suitable site outside central London, he will not reconsider his decision to move the Patent Office out of London.
§ Mr. DarlingNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HuntWhy are the Government being so obstinate about this? Does not the Minister realise that an overwhelming weight of professional opinion is in favour of the Patent Office staying in Central London? In view of the very special difficulty which a move out of London would create for an office which has to receive 10,000 documents by hand every week, will he not have another look at this matter in the interests both of commerce and of common sense?
§ Mr. DarlingWe have looked at all the arguments which the hon. Member has put forward. There will have to be a new Patent Office within the next few years. The present office is in a shocking state of inadequacy. We think that this is a very good opportunity to relieve congestion in the centre of London, as long as the new building is within reasonable travelling distance of the centre of London. I think that some of the claims which are being made about disadvantages are greatly exaggerated.
§ Mr. CorfieldIs it not becoming abundantly clear that this office can serve the public which it is designed to serve only by being very close to the centre of things in London?
§ Mr. DarlingWe do not accept that view at all.