§ Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Chief Secretary whether, by Clause 2 (10) of the Government of Ireland Bill, the Irish Parliament is prohibited from legislating in respect of patents; whether by Clause 4 (6) the Irish Ministers are prohibited from the administration of matters relating to patents; whether, under Clause 40, the British Patent Office can transfer the administration of patent laws to an Irish Department; if so, whether it is proposed that it should do so; whether an Irish Patent Office can be established; and, if so, whether it will have power to make any regulations to prevent patent agents practising before it without an address for service in Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Patent Department of the Government of the United Kingdom would have power under Clause 40 to make arrangements for the exercise of certain of its powers and duties by an Irish Department, but there does not seem to be much probability that such a course would be taken. The Irish Government would have no power to establish a Patent Office or to make regulations on the subject.