§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent trials have been conducted on warship hulls in respect of blast-cleaning techniques. [88193]
§ Mr. IngramThe Ministry of Defence is not aware of any trials in respect of blast-cleaning techniques on warship hulls since July 1996.
Two systems (including Mr. Farrow's) were demonstrated during 2000. Although the demonstrations were not on hulls, it was shown that the techniques employed could be used for that purpose.
§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on discussions between his Department and Mr.Nigel Farrow in respect of blast-cleaning techniques for warship hulls. [88194]
§ Mr. IngramThe Ministry of Defence had a meeting with Mr. Farrow at the Defence Procurement Agency in Bristol on 25 November 2002. The Ministry of Defence fully explained its position in relation to Mr. Farrow's UK patent 2344348 in respect of alleged infringement activities at Portsmouth dockyard. The Ministry of Defence considered that the activities at Portsmouth did not infringe that patent.
At the meeting Mr. Farrow raised further allegations concerning another patent and activities at other dockyards. The Ministry of Defence undertook to investigate the further allegations. It was made clear that the investigation would take some weeks, and would cover alleged patent infringement and validity issues. It will also consider possible contractual responsibilities in the matter. Mr. Farrow is aware that these investigations are on-going.
§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) the differences and (b) the similarities are between blast-cleaning techniques for warship hulls (i) employed by his Department and (ii) patented by Mr. Nigel Farrow. [88195]
§ Mr. IngramFollowing an approach from Mr. Farrow concerning alleged use of his patents, the Ministry of Defence has undertaken to investigate the cleaning techniques in use in naval dockyards. The Ministry of Defence indicated that this investigation would take some weeks and is well under way. The outcome is expected early in the new year.
Techniques relating to blast cleaning of ships are well known and used extensively. Mr. Farrow has proposed particular parameters for use in such systems and it is the alleged use of the particular parameters that is the subject of the investigation.
Fleet Support Ltd. of Portsmouth has already stated that grit used at Portsmouth falls outside the range specified by Mr. Farrow. This has already been reported to Mr. Farrow.
§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what legal costs have been incurred by his Department in consequence of its disagreement with Mr. Nigel Farrow in respect of his claim of breached patent rights for blast cleaning techniques for warship hulls. [88196]
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§ Mr. IngramNo external legal costs have been incurred by the Ministry of Defence. Investigation has been by the Ministry of Defence's intellectual property group, and is overseen by a chartered patent agent. Approximately two man weeks of internal effort have been expended on investigation and searches.