§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they propose to ensure that any substitute for chlorofluorocarbons that may be discovered by the various chemical firms now researching such a substitute will not be patented and marketed in a way that delays its worldwide introduction.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Trefgarne)The Government believe that the normal requirements for the protection of patents, and other intellectual property rights, should apply. They are designed to ensure innovation and exploitation of products and processes, thus serving the needs of the market. The UK is committed to the wide-scale and rapid transfer of ozone-benign substances and of the technology to produce or use them. Such transfer should be on a commercial basis. The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer contains specific provisions to facilitate access to environmentally safe alternative substances and technology for developing countries. The parties to the protocol are in the process of considering what financial and other mechanisms are appropriate to ensure that worldwide adoption of these substances and technology takes place.