§ Mr. IngramTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff are currently employed in the Patent Office; and what are the staff projections for each of the next three years. [1199]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorAt the end of October 973 staff were employed at the Patent Office. Forecasts of staff levels are set out in the 1995 corporate plan, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Relevant figures are:
- 1996–97: 920
- 1997–98: 900
- 1998–99: 880
A major factor in employment will be the level of demand.
§ Mr. IngramTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to privatise the Patent Office, and if he will make a statement. [1201]
§ Mr. TaylorI have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the then President of the Board of Trade on 14 December 1994,Official Report, columns 657–58.
§ Mr. IngramTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the tender specifications applying to services to be contracted-out from the Patent Office. [1198]
§ Mr. TaylorThe specification for the London front office and facilities management are now at an advanced stage.
§ Mr. IngramTo ask the President of the Board of Trade to what extent patent and trademark work currently undertaken within the Manchester offices of the Patent Office is included in the contracting-out specification which will apply to the marketing and information directorate. [1200]
§ Mr. TaylorThe Manchester office is not within the scope of any study of the marketing and information directorate. Its future is however under separate review. The legal requirement to maintain an office in Manchester ended with the implementation of the Trade Marks Act 1994.
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