§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, further to the answer of 23 November, Official 10W Report, columns 331–2, how many of the representations received were in favour of changing the status of the Patent Office and how many were of the contrary view.
§ Mr. ButcherSixteen of the representations received were in favour of changing the status of the Patent Office, though ten of these were subject to provisos on implementation. Of the remaining representations, four were unconditionally opposed to changing the status of the Patent Office and thirty were prepared to accept a change of status if this was found to be necessary.