asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the large number of applications and specifications awaiting examination at the Patent Office; and what steps he is taking to remedy this situation.

Yes. The procedure in the Patent Office has been simplified where possible and new staff with technical qualifications have been recruited and trained since the end of the war. During the past three years, a continuous reduction in the arrears from a peak figure of over 30,000 has been effected and I hope that there will be further reduction this year. However, owing to the heavy depletion of the staff during the war, the strength of the staff now available is no greater than it was in August, 1939, and an increased technical staff will be required before the arrears can be rapidly reduced. Everything possible will be done to secure the recruitment of further staff.