§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what representations he has received since the Government took office on the recommendations of the Whitford committee on copyright;
(2) if he intends introducing legislation to implement the recommendations of the Whitford committee on copyright;
(3) what consultations he has had with the European Commission on the recommendations of the Whitford committee on copyright.
§ Mr. EyreSince publication of the Whitford report my Department has received representations on the recommendations from well over 100 interested organisations. When the Government took office consultations continued on the wide variety of topics dealt with in the report. There have not, as yet, been any consultations with the European Commission, which itself is only at the preliminary stage of policy formulation. Nevertheless, our studies take into account those papers which have so far originated from the Commission, particularly " Community Action in the Cultural Sector"—R/2982/77, which was considered by the House of Lords European Communities374W Committee—Sub-Committee C and subsequently debated in the House of Commons on 23 June 1978. I expect to complete consideration of the report of the Whitford committee this year and to put forward the Government's proposals in a Green Paper.