§ General CROFTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Controller of Patents is calling upon certain patentees to pay renewal fees or lose their patent rights, notwithstanding the fact that, owing to the War, it is impossible to work the patents, and that this is inflicting hardships on patentees of small means; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
Sir A. STANLEYI would draw the attention of the hon. and gallant Member to the Rules, of which I am sending him a copy, made on the 21st August, 1914, with a view to meeting the difficulties which patentees may have at the present time in regard to the payment of fees. He may rest assured that the power given in these Rules to extend the time for the payment of fees has been, and will continue to be, generously exercised in all suitable cases