§ Mr. HOLLANDasked the Minister of Labour whether, in the case of an unemployed person who has registered a patent but owing to a period of unemployment and lack of capital has been unable to develop the marketing of such a patent, he will consider exempting such a person from the payment of the fees that are 2325W necessary to keep such a patent registered if a specified period of unemployment is proven?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe suggestion made by the hon. Member has been noted. I would point out that the first renewal fee is not payable until the end of the fourth year of the patent and there is thus an appreciable period during which the invention can be developed without payment of a further fee.