Title (Hansard, 25 July 1988)

§ Mr. Blair

This is an historic Bill in the law of copyright. I say that because Copyright Bills are so rare that when they occur they are invariably historic. None the less, this Bill has done a tremendous amount to bring the law of copyright up to date.

I thank the officials of the Department of Trade and Industry, who were of tremendous assistance to Members on both sides of the Committee. I also thank many of those who lobbied us on the Bill. We have always had an ambivalent attitude to those lobbies. On the one hand, they can make life extremely hot for us, but on the other, if they had not been there to lobby us, we would not have appreciated many of the issues to be debated in the Bill. 228 I thank also my hon. Friends who have raised many points with considerable assiduity and concern. The Government have met many of the problems that we raised. I commend them for doing so. They have met the difficulties raised concerning photographers. They have partly met those on publishing and commercial photocopying, rentals, computers and a host of other minor matters. The Government have rejected other Opposition pleas, particularly those relating to journalists, the blank tape levy and moral rights, but ultimately the Bill will be judged by its effect on industry and its ability to strike a correct balance between industry and the consumer.

I do not believe that the Opposition are necessarily right about every aspect of the Bill. We do not have a monopoly of wisdom. However, we have done our best to ensure that an adequate balance has been struck. Ultimately it will be those who work and earn their living in the copyright industries who will have the final word.

§ Mr. Butcher

First, I thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and also Madam Deputy Speaker, Mr. Speaker and the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Rhodes James) who presided over the Committee stage, for the courtesy, kindness and, when needed, the brisk approach that have been applied to our proceedings.

My officials have been in the trenches on this issue for about four years. Therefore, I thank them on behalf of the whole House. They have made themselves available at all times to all members of the Committee, on both sides. There were even occasions when they briefed Opposition Members before they briefed me. I am sure that the House wishes to acknowledge their great efforts on our behalf.

In my view, the proceedings on this Bill have shown the House of Commons in its best light. Such a view of the House is not often presented to the public. Its mood has almost always been constructive. Sincerely held views were expressed and the exchanges were candid.

I thank all my hon. Friends who served on the Committee and who have stayed so late tonight. In particular I thank my two parliamentary private secretaries who served the Committee without a formal brief. As volunteers, their work was very much appreciated.

I commend the Bill to their Lordships. I hope that they will be particularly kind to it. I believe that it will stand the test of time but that, like Halley's comet, it will come back after another two decades. We hope that it will return to this House in good shape.