Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the reason for the recent increase in the registration fees applying to trade marks registered or renewed after 1st June, 1969; and, in view of the fact that this increase is in excess of the ceiling recently imposed by the prices and incomes policy of Her Majesty's Government, whether he will review the proposed increase at an early date with a view to its reduction.
§ Mr. DellIncreases in trade mark fees are necessary because the expenses of the Trade Marks Registry, which is intended to be self-supporting, are greater than its income from fees. The Rules which will shortly be made prescribing the increases will not conflict with the Government's prices and incomes policy.