HC Deb 17 October 1973 vol 861 cc203-4W
Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been made to him regarding the establishment of a European Patents Office; what discussions have taken place with EEC countries; what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on this matter; and what agreement has been reached.

Mr. Warren

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the advice his Department tendered on behalf of British patent interests at the conference recently

PRIVATE INVESTMENT OVERSEAS*
Total Direct investment† Portfolio investment‡ Other investment§
As a percentage of total
£ million
1958 310 46 54
1959 303 66 34
1960 322 78 -12 34
1961 313 72 -9 37
1962 242 86 -16 30
1963 320 74 1 25
1964 399 66 1 33
1965 368 84 -26 42
1966 303 91 -27 36
1967 456 62 13 25
1968 727 56 32 12
1969 679 81 5 14
1970 773 67 14 19
1971 875 74 9 17
1972 1,479 47 48 5
* Net of disinvestment.
† Excluding oil, and before 1963, insurance.
‡ Negative figures are disinvestment.
§ Including oil, and before 1963, insurance.

concluded in Munich on the subject of the proposed European Patent System.

Sir G. Howe

I hope to make a statement shortly.