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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. French: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set the Patent Office executive agency for 1997-98. [21663] Mr. Lang: I have set the Patent Office the following targets: Efficiency To increase output in relation to total staff numbers by 2 per cent. To increase output in relation to total staff costs by 2 per cent. To increase output in relation to current expenditure by 2 per cent. To issue 90 per cent. of patent search reports within 12 weeks of receiving a request. To issue 90 per cent. of patent examination reports within 18 months of publication. To confirm payment of patent renewal fees within six working days of receipt. To issue 90 per cent. of initial design search and examination reports within 12 weeks. To confirm payment of design renewal fees within six working days of receipt. To issue 90 per cent. of trade mark examination reports within two months of data capture in the Patent Office. To advertise within seven months of examination trade mark applications which attract no substantive objection at examination stage. To register within four months of advertisement 97 per cent. of advertised marks which are not formally opposed. In addition, the agency will maintain its target to pay bills within 30 days of receipt of goods and services or of a valid invoice, whichever is the later, and I expect the chief executive of the Patent Office to continue to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

21663; 292 c784W;292 c784-5W

Session

1996-97

Subjects

Executive agencies Patent Office Standards