§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, following the discussions between the Minister of State for Information Technology and Ministers and 25W officials of the United States Government, United Kingdom companies will be given equal treatment in the transfer of their industrial property rights from United States industrial bases compared with that available to the United States-based companies wishing to transfer their knowledge and rights to their United Kingdom bases; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherThe discussions between my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Industry and Information Technology and officials of the United States Government during his recent visit to Washington did not address the question of transfer of industrial property rights.
§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requests he has had from companies with investments or facilities in the United States of America to assist them in effecting the transfer of their industrial property rights from the United States of America to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherI am not aware of any such requests.