§ Mr. Ancramasked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations have been made to him on the financial damage being caused to the music industry by the illegal taping of pre-recorded music; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EyreEstimates of the financial damage being caused to the music industry were discussed at a series of meetings with representatives of the British phonographic industry prior to the publication in July of the Green Paper—Reform of the Law relating to Copyright, Designs and Performers' Protection: Cmnd. 8302, and these estimates are considered in detail in chapter 3. Since publication further representations have been received and I have met representatives of the industry again. I still consider that the conclusion reached in chapter 3 of the Green Paper—that the sales of pre-recorded music lost as a direct consequence of private copying cannot be precisely quantified—is correct.