HC Deb 20 July 1971 vol 821 cc271-2W
Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science who are the members of the informal working party set up to advise on public lending rights; what are the interests concerned what are the terms of reference of the working party; when has it met; when it is due to meet; when will it complete its work; and when authors will receive royalties in respect of the use of books in public libraries.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The composition and terms of reference of the Working Party are as follows :—

Mr. M. L. Herzig (Department of Education and Science)—Chairman.

Representing the Arts Council

Mr. Martyn Goff.

Mr. J. N. B. Penny.

Mr. E. White.

Representing the Association of Municipal Corporations

Mr. D. I. Colley.

Mr. E. V. Corbett.

Representing the Booksellers Association

Mr. G. R. Bartlett.

Mr. T. Joy.

Representing the British Copyright Council

Mr. L. Swinyard.

Representing the County Councils Association

Mr. L. W. K. Brown.

Mr. W. J. Murison.

Representing the Library Association

Mr. H. D. Barry.

Mr. J. W. Cockburn.

Mr. D. T. Richnell.

Representing the Publishers Association

Mr. R. E. Barker.

Mr. G. C. Greene.

Representing the Society of Authors

Mr. V. Bonham-Carter.

Mr. M. Gilbert.

Miss P. MacLiesh.

Department of Trade and Industry

Mr. W. Wallace.

Mr. I. J. C. Davis.

The task of the Working Party is to consider how an amendment to the Copyright Act, 1956 which added lending to the public to the acts restricted by copyright might be implemented. The Working Party are not required to recommend particular courses of action but to consider what form an amendment to the Act might take, to define possible methods by which it might be implemented and to set forth and compare their detailed implications. The Working Party's conclusions to be embodied in a report to the Paymaster-General, designed to provide a basis for a decision of policy on whether such an amendment to the Act would be a practical and worthwhile step.

The Working Party has met three times since April and plans to continue meeting once a month; it is not yet possible to give a date for the completion of its work.