HL Deb 01 July 1981 vol 422 c193

2.59 p.m.

The Earl of Gosford

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to publish their Green Paper on the recommendations of the Whitford Committee on Copyright and Designs Law.

Lord Lyell

My Lords, the Government expect to publish the Green Paper on copyright and related topics in the middle of this month. It will be entitled Reform of the Law relating to Copyright, Designs and Performers' Protection—A Consultative Document.

The Earl of Gosford

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that most welcome reply, I should like to ask him whether I may press him for a specific date when the Green Paper will be printed? Is he aware that the delay has been causing great concern among the creators of works, and that since the Whitford Committee Report of 1977 they have been aware that the Act of 1956 is unable to cope with the increasing technology?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, the noble Earl may, indeed, press me to try to give a more precise date, but I am afraid that I could not go further than my original Answer. The Government are, indeed, aware of the need to update the 1956 Copyright Act and, if the noble Earl can be patient till the middle of this month, he will certainly see the more precise ideas that are in the Government's mind at the moment.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the statement that this Green Paper is coming will be very widely welcomed? Would he be so good as to say whether it is expected that the Green Paper will cover the recommendations of the Whitford Report and, in particular, their recommendations in relation to performers' rights and to possible amendments to the Performing Rights Act?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, the Green Paper will have many recommendations, but I am afraid that I must ask the noble Lord to be as patient as the rest of us.

Lord Reilly

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord the Minister whether he is satisfied that, if the recommendations of the Whitford Committee are accepted, they will compare favourably with the practices adopted in other European countries?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, I do not think that I could go quite as far as that. I am afraid that, once again, must ask the noble Lord to be a little patient till the middle of this month. Perhaps we can then go into it in further detail.