§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to the discussions on the future of the patents system; and if, before agreement has been reached with EEC countries, he will lay information before Parliament.
§ Sir G. HoweI intend to publish a consultative paper setting out the Government's proposals for new patent legislation and the future of the British patent system. This paper will explain the Government's present intentions in relation to the European Patent Convention which the United Kingdom has signed, and the Community Patent Convention which will be concluded in May 1974.