§ 8. Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has on unit sales of compact discs in (a) 1987 and (b) 1986; and what value the sales represent.
§ Mr. MaudeIn the first nine months of 1987 the British Phonographic Industry Ltd. reported sales to retailers of 11 million compact discs—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. What goes on in the Gallery is not a matter for us.
§ Mr. MaudeIn the first nine months of last year the British Phonographic Industry Ltd reported sales to retailers of 11 million compact discs valued at £73 million. In 1986, 8.5 million compact discs were sold, valued at £56 million.
§ Mr. CoombsDoes my hon. Friend agree that those are remarkable figures, and will he join me in congratulating the work force and management of the EMI CD plant in Swindon on taking a major share of that increased growth? Does he also recognise the genuine concern within the record industry about the practice of rental and copying of CDs and the advent of digital audio tape, both of which could damage this rapidly increasing contributor to British exports?
§ Mr. MaudeI willingly join my hon. Friend in congratulating those of his constituents who have contributed to that excellent record of growth in the industry. In regard to copying, I hope that those in the industry will be reassured by the rental right that the Government have introduced by tabling an amendment to the Bill in another place. That will go a long way to meet current concerns.
§ Mr. Greg KnightWill my hon. Friend resist the entreaties of those who produce compact discs and who seek a ban or other form of restriction on the import or sale of digital audio tape machines? Does he agree that such an action, if attempted, could only be described as Luddite?
§ Mr. MaudeWe are not persuaded that measures are desirable to prevent the importation of DAT recorders or to require them to be fitted with spoilers to prevent home taping. I take my hon. Friend's point, but a lively debate is developing on this topic.