HC Deb 05 August 1913 vol 56 cc1284-6W
Mr. PIKE PEASE

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will insert a clause in the Imperial wireless agreement which will prevent the last sentence in clause 19 operating in such a manner as to prevent a judge's order for inspection given to a patentee who claims that his patents are being infringed in a Government station from being effectively acted upon?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The clause in question gives the Marconi Company certain rights of inspection in cases where they are able to satisfy the Postmaster-General that they have reason to suspect that their patents are being infringed at a Government long-distance station not provided by themselves. The words referred to by the hon. Member provide that these rights are not to cover the inspection of apparatus which it is necessary to keep secret on strategic or defensive grounds. Nothing in the clause affects in any way any rights which any other patentees may have against the Crown. If in any case a judge's order for inspection by such patentees could be made and acted on effectively, there is nothing in the present agreement to prevent its being so made made and acted on. I see no reason for adding any such provision as the hon. Member suggests.

Mr. PIKE PEASE

also asked the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the fact that copper and other material which enters largely into the construction of wireless stations fluctuates considerably in price, so that it may be under certain circumstances advantageous for a contractor to defer purchase of such material so that the construction of the stations may be delayed, he will, as this construction is stated to be a matter of urgency, increase the penalty laid down for the non-completion within eighteen months of acquisition of site and the signing of the agreement in Clause 6 to such a sum as would make it disadvantageous for the contractor to delay construction for the purpose of securing any advantage from market fluctuations to the detriment of the Imperial service?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I agreed to the penalty as reasonable, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, and the contract having been signed, I am not prepared to reopen the question with the Marconi Company.