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New Government badges and insignia
The Government today (Wednesday)released the new designs of badges and insignia to be worn by uniformed officers after the transfer of sovereignty.
A government spokesman said that a working group had been set up three years ago to review badges and insignia worn on government uniforms.
"The purpose was to identify all badges and insignia bearing connotations of British sovereignty and to prepare new designs to replace them," he said.
The disciplined services were principally concerned in this exercise although several other departments were also involved. All new designs have been prepared by the departments themselves. The Chinese side have been consulted.
The Director of Government Supplies has issued a tender for the manufacture of the new badges and insignia. Over two million separate items are involved at an estimated cost of some $6 million.
The new badges and insignia will be worn with effect from midnight on June 30, 1997.
The Secretary for the Treasury has agreed that all uniformed officers nay keep one set of their existing badges and insignia free of charge as souvenirs. The remaining badges and insignia will be returned to the Director of Government Supplies for disposal in accordance with Stores Regulations.
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Draft Trade Marks Bill for consultation
The Government today (Wednesday) issued a consultation paper on a draft Trade Marks Bill.
The consultation paper and the draft Trade Marks Bill were issued to a number of organisations, including trade marks owners and users, as well as those in the professional and academic fields for their comments. The consultation will last until 5 March this year.