HC Deb 13 January 1987 vol 108 cc138-9W
Mr. Ashdown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans for the Patent Office in the legislative programme for 1986–87; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Pattie

As announced in the White Paper "Intellectual Property and Innovation" (Cmnd. 9712) the Government propose to hive off the Patent Office and establish it as a non-departmental non-Crown public body. Legislation to implement this and other proposals of the White Paper will be introduced when the parliamentary timetable permits.