§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he remains satisfied with the operation of the law on rights arising from artistic performances, in the light of evidence sent to him by the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisIf the hon. Member is referring to the affairs of the Performing Right Society Ltd., about which he has written to me on several occasions, I expect to be able to reply to his latest letters shortly. If he is referring to the possibility of a reference596W by licence from the Department of the Environment;
(4) what is the volume of reptile skins imported from France and from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the number of licences issued by the Department of the Environment for such imports in 1976 and 1977.
§ Mr. Dell,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 2nd February 1978; Vol. 943, c. 298–302], gave the following further information:
to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, I have nothing to add to the statement made on 5th December 1977 by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Prices and Consumer Protection.—[Vol. 940, c. 991.] If he is referring to possible changes in the law of copyright, the Whitford Committee's Report on Copyright and Designs Law is still being considered by the Government. If the hon. Member will indicate any other aspects of the operation of the law which he has in mind they will be considered in the light of the information at present submitted.