HC Deb 22 June 1994 vol 245 c223W
21. Mr. Brazier

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what role he sees for further reform on intellectual property rights in his programme to improve the competitiveness of British industry.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

The United Kingdom is a country which depends on innovation to maintain its competitiveness. Strong protection for intellectual property around the world is therefore important to British industry. The Government were pleased that the recent GATT agreement provides minimum standards of protection and enforcement and we will be seeking to ensure that the agreement is implemented as fully and widely as possible. We will continue to seek improved protection through harmonisation of laws at European and international level.

33. Mrs. Gorman

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the United Kingdom's competitiveness with the emerging newly industrialised countries.

Mr. Eggar

The United Kingdom's competitiveness both with the newly industrialising countries and with other developed economies is analysed in the Government's recent White Paper "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win".

26. Mr. Amess

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next proposes to meet the Institute of Directors to discuss industrial competitiveness.

Mr. McLoughlin

I refer to the answer my hon. Friend gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Kincardine and Deeside (Mr. Kynoch).

24. Mr. Thurnham

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received on his White Paper on Competitiveness.

Mr. McLoughlin

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Durham, North-West (Ms Armstrong) earlier today.