§ 114. Mr. Neaveasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the growth of industrial spying; and whether he will review the criminal law in order to introduce legislation making it an offence to disclose, obtain or use trade secrets by means of espionage.
§ 115. Mr. Dribergasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the growth of industrial espionage, which sometimes enables foreign firms, by obtaining improperly the results of prolonged and expensive research by British firms, to sell their products far more cheaply than the comparable British products; and, since at present those guilty of such espionage can only be charged with larceny, and then only if provably stolen documents are found in their possession, what steps he is taking to strengthen the law on this subject.
§ Mr. JayPersons stealing documents or other physical objects can only be294W charged with larceny, but there are also civil remedies against those who improperly disclose or procure the disclosure of trade secrets. I am not convinced that these remedies are inadequate; but if the hon. Members have evidence to the contrary I shall be glad to examine it.