HL Deb 02 November 1988 vol 501 cc312-3

159 After Clause 156, insert the following new Clause:

"British ships, aircraft and hovercraft: Part I.

.—(1) This Part applies to things done on a British ship, aircraft or hovercraft as it applies to things done in the United Kingdom.

(2) In this Section—

"British ship" means a ship which is a British ship for the purposes of the Merchant shipping, Acts (see section 2 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988) otherwise than by virtue of registration in a country outside the United Kingdom; and

"British aircraft" and "British hovercraft" mean an aircraft or hovercraft registered in the United Kingdom.'.

Lord Young of Graffham

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 159. I shall, with leave, also speak to Amendments Nos. 203 and 312.

These amendments extend the provisions of the Bill on copyright and rights in performances to United Kingdom registered ships, aircraft and hovercraft operating beyond United Kingdom territorial waters. Although your Lordships will recall that we resisted this change when the Bill was previously in your Lordships' House, we have now received further evidence that in its absence the interests of United Kingdom copyright owners will suffer and that the amendments are necessary to ensure that composers, record companies and film makers can obtain appropriate remuneration for the use of their works on British cruise ships, airlines and other vessels. Since your Lordships urged us strongly at the earlier stages of the Bill to introduce amendments on these lines I feel confident that they will be acceptable to your Lordships now.

I commend the amendment.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 159.—(Lord Young of Graffham.)

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, the Secretary of State is right. We asked for these amendments and we are grateful that the Government have conceded them. On a point of clarification, what is the position of a train going through the Channel Tunnel?

Lord Young of Graffham

My Lords, we are rather anticipating the completion of the Channel Tunnel, which will not be until 1993. I am afraid that it is one of those areas of doubt. The noble Lord has once again probed to the limits of my knowledge and has exceded it this time.

On Question, Motion agreed to.