Clause 10 - Compensation of employees for certain inventions
Patents Bill
11:15 am
Mr Gerry Sutcliffe (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Employment Relations, Competition and Consumers), Department of Trade and Industry; Bradford South, Labour)
The hon. Gentleman is right to raise the issue. I will tell him why we considered the measure again. The principle of the outstanding benefit scheme was first adopted in the 1977 Act after great debate and consultation. I will explain some of the consultation that has taken place this time.
Increasingly, successful UK businesses have a highly skilled work force working in technologically advanced industries, such as pharmaceuticals, telecommunications and those producing computer and office equipment. In those industries, the creativity and inventiveness of the work force is essential to the continued progress and development of companies. Sustaining the motivation and interest of such highly skilled staff is important if such businesses are to grow—
It being twenty-five minutes past Eleven o'clock, The Chairman adjourned the Committee without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
Adjourned till this day at half-past Two o'clock.