To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2010, Official Report, column 402W, on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, what further steps he plans to take to increase transparency in the negotiating process of the agreement. (314036)

I have instructed my officials to take every opportunity to press for more transparency in the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement negotiations. They have consistently argued for more transparency in the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement negotiations. The issue was raised again during the EU co-ordination meetings and in several bilateral discussions at the talks in Mexico during 26-291 January. As a result of our calls, and those of like-minded countries, the negotiating parties have agreed to update the summary of the key elements being discussed. A joint statement issued after the Mexico round, which mentions transparency, can be found on the Intellectual Property Office website.