Patent Office (Relocation)

HC Deb 11 January 1988 vol 125 cc129-30W

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, pursuant to his answers to the hon. Members for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) and for Harrogate (Mr. Banks),Official Report, column 239, he will reconsider his decision on Patent Office relocation in the light of the decision of the Trustee Savings Bank to relocate to Newport.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

As I have stated on previous occasions, the location of the Patent Office close to other large DTI establishments in Cardiff or Newport would

	£ million
1982–83	113.8
1983–84	307.6
1984–85	206.6
1985–86	97.8
1986–87	297.1
Total	1,022.9

The current year forecast is for total payments of £118 million. An estimate of £80 million has been made for 1988–89.

Payments of shipbuilding intervention fund to private sector shipbuilders have been as set out in the table. The current year forecast is for total payments of £6 million. An estimate of £2.47 million has been made for 1988–89.

yield significant operational and financial advantages. My officials are currently examining the feasibility of such a move and I have no plans to look elsewhere at the moment.