Patents (European Convention)

HC Deb 25 July 1963 vol 681 c1760

20. Mr. Cleaver

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received the advice of the Tookey Committee on patents.

Mr. Erroll

Yes, Sir. Following the receipt of the Committee's advice, we have now responded to the invitation to comment on the draft European Patent Convention. We have told the Brussels Commission and the Governments of the Six that if, as seems likely, the final form of the Convention is one to which we can subscribe, we shall wish to become a contracting country. I have placed a copy of the draft Convention and of our observations in the library.

Mr. Cleaver

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the majority of British industry will welcome this? Can he say whether this applies to E.F.T.A. as well as Common Market countries?

Mr. Erroll

The Convention has so far been drafted exclusively by officials of the Six, but it is not in terms confined to Common Market countries.