§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the allegation that there is undue delay in certain eases in the granting of patents, and whether he can give any assurance that such delays will be reduced to a minimum?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI regret that there has been some delay in dealing with applications for patents. This is largely due to the arrears of work caused by war conditions, and the inevitable depletion of the staff for military service and other public work. There has
1610W1920–21, 1921–22, and 1922–23, estimated; and what was the rate of taxation in each case?
§ Sir J. BAIRDThe information is as follows:
I also been an increase of applications since! the War, which amount now to an average of 35,000 yearly, as compared with 30,000 I in 1913. The arrears have been considerably diminished during the last two I years, and every effort is being made to I bring about a return to normal conditions.