§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he has completed his consideration of the Winkett report on the Patent Office; and whether he will make a statement;
(2) what arrangements have been made to discuss with the trade unions and professional associations involved decisions arising from the Winkett report on the Patent Office.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherI expect to receive shortly the result of a preliminary study by officials of the feasibility of hiving off the Patent Office. I have already discussed hiving off with the trade unions and I will be doing so again when I have considered the study.
§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the numbers of full-time staff currently employed in the Patent Office; and what have been the relevant numbers in the last five years.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherOn 1 December there were 1,268 full-time staff employed in the Patent Office. The staff numbers for each of the preceding five years were as follows: 483W
Number 1978 1,435 1979 1,334 1980 1,356 1981 1,334 1982 1,314
§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will place a copy of the Winkett report in the Library.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherAdvice to Ministers by officials is normally confidential. The Winkett report comes into this category and will not be placed in the Library of the House.