HC Deb 23 May 1957 vol 570 cc1369-70
10. Mr. Hyde

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reason for the delay in announcing the date for the coming into full operation of the Copyright Act, 1956.

Mr. Erroll

There has been no avoidable delay. As hon. Members will have realised, when they were debating the Copyright Bill, an interval was necessary between the passing of the Act and its coming into operation in order to consult interested organisations, to prepare certain subordinate legislation and to set up the Performing Right Tribunal.

Mr. Hyde

Arising out of that reply, may I ask my hon. Friend when it is proposed that Her Majesty's Government should adhere to the Universal Copyright Convention, and so afford a measure of copyright protection in the United States of America for which British authors and publishers have been waiting for a very long time?

Mr. Erroll

It is our intention to ratify the Universal Copyright Convention shortly after the coming into operation of the Act.

Mr. Greenwood

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the necessary Instruments will be laid before the House?

Mr. Erroll

A number of Instruments will be laid tomorrow.