HC Deb 25 July 1988 vol 138 cc94-5

'(1) Her Majesty is entitled to copyright in every Act of Parliament or Measure of the General Synod of the Church of England.

(2) The copyright subsists from Royal Assent until the end of the period of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which Royal Assent was given.

(3) References in this Part to Crown copyright (except in section 160) include copyright under this section; and, except as mentioned above, the provisions of this Part apply in relation to copyright under this section as to other Crown copyright.

(4) No other copyright, or right in the nature of copyright, subsists in an Act or Measure.'.—[Mr. Butcher.]

Brought up and read the First time.

Motion made and Question proposed, That the clause be read a Second time.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this it will be convenient to discuss also Government new clause 23, and Government amendments Nos. 253, 254, 256 to 259 and 261 to 264.

Mr. Blair

I wish to raise just one point. This provision is obviously necessary following the separation of the Crown and parliamentary copyright. I understand that the regime is essentially that Bills will enjoy parliamentary copyright up until Royal Assent or rejection, whereas Acts of Parliament after Royal Assent will be Crown copyright. I understand that that has been done after consultation with officials from both Houses. Has the Minister received any other representations about this?

Mr. Butcher

We have received no other representations in relation to this matter.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause read a Second time and added to the Bill.

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