European Patent

HC Deb 09 June 1975 vol 893 cc96-7W

Mr. Normanton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action the Government are pursuing to establish a European patent.

Mr. Clinton Davis

As stated in the recent White Paper (Cmnd. 6000), we intend to legislate to enable ratification of the European Patent Convention. We are involved in the preparatory work now going on at international level for setting up the European Patent Office with a view to opening in late 1977 or early 1978.