§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what quality standards he will require when the marketing and information technology section of the Patent Office is opened to competitive tenders. [20028]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe Patent Office will require prospective tenderers to demonstrate commitment to quality standards as part of their proposals and quality standards will be incorporated in the specifications. Deciding the nature and scope of appropriate standards will form part of the process of drawing up those specifications.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to invite tenders for Patent Office work including the marketing section and duties undertaken by the London Front section. [20027]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe Patent Office will seek to contract out activities wherever this is compatible with its statutory role and good value for money. It is currently assessing the scope for contracting out and some candidates have been identified. Before tenders can be invited, operational requirements need to be assessed and specifications drawn up. In the case of marketing and the London Front office, it is likely that consultants will be appointed in May to help with this stage of the work, on which the subsequent timetable depends.