The hon. Member for Gordon speaks to this apparently minor new clause very engagingly. However, he concentrates on the issue of least importance in the new clause, namely the vanity patent. The issue of greatest importance is that the Patent Office would have its immunity removed by section 116 of the 1977 Act. The Patent Office would be immune only in relation to vanity patents. The issue that the hon. Gentleman is creating is that the Patent Office is to be liable for all patents except vanity patents.

That would be an interesting development, and I am not sure what effect it would have on the Patent Office, but I am sure that the response of the Chancellor would be one of deep concern. I am surprised that this contingent liability that the hon. Member for Gordon would create in the new clause has not been ruled it out of order—since your decision is always right, Mr. Amess, I am sure that it is in order. I will be interested to hear what the Minister says about it.