§ Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is yet in a position to give the views of Her Majesty's Government on the report of the Banks Committee on the British Patent System.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Government have now had the opportunity to consider the recommendations in this Report and the observations made on them. The Report is generally welcomed, but it is proposed to give further consideration to some aspects of the recommendations, notably those relating to payment for the Crown use of inventions, the publication of abridgments and the settlement of disputes and appeals. Subject to this, the Government consider that the principal recommendations provide a satisfactory basis for further legislation when the Parliamentary time-table permits.