§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has paid or is committed to pay for patent rights.
§ Mr. NeubertIn strict terms the Secretary of State does not pay for patent rights. Under the Patents Act 1977, Government Departments already possess the right to use or authorise the use of any patent for the services of the Crown. In the absence of any right of free use, terms for payment must be negotiated with the patentee.
The following payments have been made on behalf of the Secretary of State in the exercise of these rights during the past two financial years:
£ 1987–88 257,000 1988–89 210,000