§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has undertaken into the possible impact of the introduction of the draft European600W Parliament and Council Directive on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions; and if she will make a statement. [7355]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 8 July 1997]: My Department has undertaken a study as to the effects that the Commission's draft proposal may have on business. The study is available in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.
This draft proposal is currently before the European Parliament and we are awaiting its first Opinion. If the Parliament seeks amendments to the proposal, it is likely that the Commission will amend its draft. Therefore, it is not possible at the moment to determine the precise contents of the text to be put before the Council of Ministers. When the terms of the proposal are known, the Department will undertake further study as to the effects any revised draft Directive may have.