HC Deb 13 May 1996 vol 277 c330W
Mr. Ingram

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the EU draft directive on legal protection of biotechnological inventions. [29002]

Mr. Ian Taylor

The Commission's proposal for an EC directive on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions is the subject of explanatory memorandum 4519/96 submitted on 4 March 1996 and available in the Library of the House.

The proposal is currently under discussion before the Council. A first opinion of the European Parliament is not expected until this autumn.