§ Mr. Clinton DavisI beg to move Amendment No. 9, in page 21, line 14, leave out 'novelty' and insert inventive merit'.
§ Mr. DavisThis amendment covers a point made in Committee by the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. Nott). I promised to consider the matter further. During the debate in Committee, I said that the word "novelty" as used in Clause 22 did not have the same meaning as in connection with Clause 2 and the state of the art. I accept that this could be misleading.
On further reflection, despite my original misgivings, I think that the words "inventive merit" express more clearly the intention of Clause 22(7)(b).
I was amused at the way in which the hon. Gentleman, after he had made the plea for the change, concluded:
Perhaps the Minister will say what he feels about that?"—[Official Report. Standing Committee D. 5th July 1977; c. 207.]"mind" appears as a misprint for "Minister". I then stood up.
§ Mr. NottI am grateful to the Minister for moving this amendment. We have never had any doubts about the quality of his mind, but only about his judgment when it comes to his political beliefs.
§ Amendment agreed to.