§ Mr. Macfarlaneasked the Secretary of State for Trade what discussions his Department has had with other EEC countries regarding the proposed European trade-mark; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe creation of an EEC trade-mark was proposed in a868W memorandum adopted by the European Economic Commission in July 1976 and published as Supplement 8/76 to the Bulletin of the European Communities. Officials from my Department have participated fully in discussions with other Community countries and with the Commission in a working group in Brussels. The problems are complex, and it is anticipated that it will be 1980–81 before it will be possible to submit proposals to the Council of Ministers.
At all stages my Department seeks the advice of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trade Marks, which consists of reprsentatives of industry, trade-mark practitioners, the legal professions and consumers.