§ Mr. Whitakerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will carry out a review of the patent system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JayYes. I have decided to appoint a Departmental Committee with the following terms of reference:—
To examine and report with recommendations upon the British patent system and patent law, in the light of the increasing need for international collaboration in patent matters, and, in particular, of the United Kingdom Government's intention to ratify the recent Council of Europe Convention on patent laws.I am glad to say that Mr. Maurice Banks, who was, until recently, a Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of British Petroleum Ltd., has agreed to act as Chairman. I hope to announce the names of the Committee members shortly.
In addition, I propose to set up a Standing Committee to advise the Board on questions about international collaboration on patents which require urgent consideration while the Departmental Committee is engaged on the longer-term review.