§ Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will report on Her Majesty's Government's efforts to secure the proposed European Community trade mark office for London; and if the information gathered by the Community Trade Mark Office Committee concerning a possible location for this institution might be of use to his Department in promoting these efforts.
§ Mr. PattieThe Government emphasise their firm desire that the Community trade marks office should be located in London. They have repeatedly made their position clear to their Community partners in the past and will negotiate on the matter as soon as the opportunity arises within the appropriate Community bodies. This will depend on the progress made towards reaching agreement on the Community trade mark system as a whole. Parliamentary approval will be sought at an appropriate time for any financial support offered to secure the location of the office in London.
On the second part of the question, the Government are most appreciative of the exploratory work carried out by the Community Trade Mark Office Committee, which will be most helpful. The selection of the particular location in London, to be proposed to our Community partners, will, of course, be the responsibility of the Government, but it will be made only after considering all reasonable possibilities.