HC Deb 13 November 1984 vol 67 cc176-7W
Mr. Freeman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government are taking to permit private firms to tender for the right to exploit commercially public sector inventions.

Mr. Butcher

With the ending of the British Technology Group's right of first refusal to the exploitation of public sector inventions, which was announced by the Prime Minister on September 12 last year, it will be open to private sector firms to seek more business of this kind.