HL Deb 09 March 1988 vol 494 cc693-4

Lord Mottistone asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the present state of negotiations for the siting of the European Community Trade Marks Office.

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, from the 10 cities put forward, the European Commission provisionally short listed four early last year. These were London, The Hague, Madrid and Munich. Since then it has not taken the matter further but its next step will be to make a proposal about location to the Council of Ministers, and it may do this in the near future. However, it will be for the Council to make the decision, and it is not bound to accept the Commission's proposal.

Lord Mottistone

My Lords, what efforts are the Government making to ensure that our case is given every possible encouragement so that the advice given by the Commission is in our favour rather than in favour of the other three sites?

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, my noble friend will be aware that the decision will take into account all factors. The Government recognise the benefits of having the EC Trade Marks Office in London and hence we are ready to support it with a financial package. He may have noticed the necessary enabling clause, which is Clause 273 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Bill in your Lordships' House, a Bill with which he is somewhat familiar.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, the noble Lord draws attention to Clause 273 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Bill before your Lordships' House. Is it a question of money? Is it a question of the Government designing the right financial package which will bring the EC Trade Marks Office to our shore, or are there other factors which will come into play?

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, as I said, the decision will take all factors into account. It is not just a matter of money. I think that all in your Lordships' House will agree that such a decision should not become just an auction. I assure noble Lords that the Government will pursue with vigour the UK hid to house the EC Trade Marks Office in London.

Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone

My Lords, I recognise that much lobbying can be counterproductive and an auction is highly undesirable, but will the Government make quite sure that the Community realises that we have for one reason or another not done very well in the siting of any Community institution of importance? Is it not time that that was remedied?

Lord Beaverbrook

My Lords, I can assure my noble and learned friend that the Government will indeed make this omission very clear to the Commission in our continuing negotiations to try to have the office located in London.

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