CO129-359 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [12] — Page 348

>

Any further communication should be addressed to

THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL at the address given opposite.

The following letter and number should

be quoted:---

C. 717.

Telegraphic Address:

COLASTA, LONDON.

Telephone No.:-1362 Victoria.

BOARD OF TRADE,

RESE

4792

(REGS 9 FEE 09

(COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT),

GWYDYR HOUSE,

WHITEHALL,

LONDON, S.W.

340

8th February, 1909.

Gov

$158008

Sir,

I am directed by the Board of Trade to refer to your

letter of the 22nd January last (No.1580) transmitting copy

of a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong with regard to

the effect of the Patents and Designs Act, 1907, on patents which have been taken out in this country with a view to ob- taining the issue in Hong Kong of Letters Patent under Ordinance No.2 of 1892 of that Colony, and, in reply I am to state, for the information of Lord Crewe, that the Board are not, as at present advised, disposed to recommend the conclusion of any special arrangement with Hong Kong under Section 27 of that Act such as that suggested by Sir Frederick Lugard.

So far as the Board understand the effect of the Hong Kong Ordinance of 1892, this Ordinance would appear to con- tain no provision which would necessitate the revocation of a Hong Kong Patent as a consequence of the revocation of an English Patent which an inventor is required by the Ordinance to take out before he can obtain one in Hong Kong. Should the existing Ordinance, however, be held to carry contrary implication it appears to the Board that the grievance complained of could most properly be remedied by a revision of the Ordinance.

*

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office, S.W.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Nev.). Stanley.