HL Deb 21 May 1996 vol 572 c94WA
Lord Lucas of Chilworth

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make freely available the opinion on the registration for retail service marks submitted to the Registrar of Trade Marks; and if not, why not.

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie

The opinion commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry contains information relating to individual trade mark applications which are pending. It would therefore be inappropriate for this opinion to be made freely available.

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In the light of their Written Answer of 20th December 1995, whether the Government has considered the opinion of Mr. Christopher Morcom Q.C. submitted by the British Retail Consortium in relation to the registration of retail service marks; and, if so, whether this opinion differs from the opinion commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie

The Government has received the submission of the British Retail Consortium ("BRC") containing the opinion of Mr. Christopher Morcom QC concerning the registration of marks for retail services, and has passed the opinion to the Registrar of Trade Marks. The Registrar is considering both opinions in relation to his responsibilities under current legislation.