HC Deb 12 November 1981 vol 12 c142W
Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will introduce legislation to provide for a levy on the sales of tapes and equipment capable of being used to record off air under arrangements to be assessed by an independent body and approved by Parliament.

Mr. Eyre

As was indicated in the Green Paper on copyright published in July—"Reform of the Law relating to Copyright, Designs and Performers' Protection—A Consultative Document"; Cmnd. 8302—the Government has not received convincing evidence that the introduction of a levy on audio or video recording equipment or blank recording tape would provide an acceptable solution to the problem of in-home taping. However, the Green Paper has invited public comment on this as on other aspects of copyright, and all views expressed to the Government will be given full consideration.