European Trade Mark Office

HC Deb 16 January 1978 vol 942 cc62-3W

Mrs. Knight

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will use his endeavours to ensure that the European Trade Mark Office is located in the United Kingdom, and preferably in Birmingham.

Mr. Clinton Davis

In 1973 Her Majesty's Government proposed to our Community partners that the Community Trade Mark Office should be located in London, and the present Government have endorsed this policy. The possibility of locating the office elsewhere in the United Kingdom was considered but, for a number of reasons, in particular its ease of access for applicants from abroad, it was decided that a bid based on London was most likely to succeed.