§
228 Clause 234, page 102, line 32, at end insert—
'(bb) authorising the rectification of irregularities of procedure;'.
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229 Page 102, line 35, at end insert—
'(cc) providing for the appointment of advisers to assist the comptroller in proceedings before him;'.
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230 Page 102, line 40, at end insert—
'(3A) The remuneration of an adviser appointed to assist the comptroller shall be determined by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury and shall be defrayed out of money provided by Parliament.'.
§ Lord StrathclydeMy Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 228 to 230 en bloc. In doing so, I should like to speak also to Amendment No. 340.
These amendments add to the powers of the Secretary of State to make rules governing proceedings before the comptroller. The effect is that in both design right and registered designs, rules may be made authorising the comptroller to rectify procedural irregularities and providing for the appointment of advisers to assist the comptroller. Both of these powers are already provided in the Patents Act and I hope the House will agree that they are also desirable in the case of designs.
§ Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 228 to 230 en bloc.—(Lord Strathclyde.)
§ Lord Williams of ElvelMy Lords, as I understand it, in this set of amendments the Secretary of State is going to have powers, with the consent of the Treasury, to fix the remuneration of the adviser. Is this the deregulation on which the Secretary of State is so keen?
§ Lord StrathclydeMy Lords, of' course this is desirable. As I said when I was explaining what these amendments were trying to do, these powers are already provided in the Patents Act. I sincerely hope that the House will agree that they are also desirable in this case.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.