§ 4.2 p.m.
§ Debate continued.
§ LORD CHORLEYMy Lords, as one who took.part in the discussion which have already been referred to, I should like to associate myself with what has 851 been said by my noble friend Lord Silkin. I emphasised earlier that this problem of fees in connection with patents ought to be carried by the community, which benefits from the inventions even more than does the inventor himself. I am glad to find that my noble friend Lord Silkin is advocating that point of view which I stressed very much at that time.
As regards the proposals which are brought forward, I am very much in sympathy with what the noble Lord, Lord Ferrier, has said, and I feel that the criticisms which we made on the previous occasion have borne some fruit in that this initial fee of £1 is to remain, which obviously is very sensible. I feel that the Government might have given way a little on the other matter, too. While it is no doubt true that the amount of work involved in doing it to specifications is a good deal heavier than that in connection with other aspects of this matter, nevertheless it is a very substantial increase which is now proposed and, clearly, one which might very hardly hit the little man whose interests we all had in view. I suppose that it is now too late to ask the Government to think again on this point, but I must say that I feel that a rise in the nature of 50 per cent. would have been very much more reasonable than the very heavy one which is put into force by this particular Order.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.