§ Mr. Hubbard-Milesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has held with the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany on the operation of a levy on blank audio tapes in that country; and the problems they have encountered.
§ Mr. PattieAlthough the Federal Republic of Germany has had a levy on recording equipment since 1965, a levy on blank audio and video tape was introduced only in 1985. I have not formally consulted the German Government on how well these relatively new schemes are operating but contacts between my officials and their German counterparts have not identified any serious problems.
§ Mr. Hubbard-Milesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of home taping on blank audio cassette tapes of more than 35 minutes duration is for the purpose of time shifting.
§ Mr. PattieTime-shifting is an activity associated with recording from television. We have received no evidence that recording from radio for time-shift purposes, rather than for the purpose of retention and repeated play-back, is a significant activity.