HC Deb 31 March 1983 vol 40 cc247-8W
Mr. Pawsey

asked the Minister for Trade (1) if he will make a statement on the action that has been taken in Geneva under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade procedure to compensate European Community printers for loss of trade that has arisen under the manufacturing clause in the United States Copyright Act;

(2) if Her Majesty's Government will make representations to the United States Government for amendments to the manufacturing clause in the United States Copyright Act which prevents overseas printers from printing books by United States authors in the United States of America;

(3) if he will give consideration to retaliatory measures against the United States of America until such time as they repeal the manufacturing clause in the United States Copyright Act which effectively prevents overseas printers from printing books by United States authors in the United States.

Mr. Peter Rees

The question of action under the general agreement of tariffs and trade—GATT—is one for the European Community. At the request of the Community consultations within GATT took place on 7 July 1982, 7 October 1982 and on 28 January 1983 under articles XXII and XXIII.1 of the GATT's dispute settlement procedures. The Community has pursued vigorously its case for compensation during these consultations.

The question of retaliation under the GATT is also one for the European Community, but will, of course, get the most careful consideration by member states. I hope that the United States Administration will shortly make a reasonable offer of compensation to the Community and so make any such course of action unnecessary.

Both my right hon. and noble Friend and I have repeatedly urged the United States Administration to end the "manufacturing clause" in United States copyright law, and Her Majesty's Government have recently submitted a further note to the United States State Department. We are prepared to make further representations as appropriate to the United States Administration. The EC Commission has also made direct representations.