HC Deb 09 March 1988 vol 129 c267W
41. Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations he has received on the need for a levy on blank audio cassette tape.

57. Mr. Greg Knight

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many representations he has received(a) for and (b) against the introduction of a blank tape levy.

Mr. Maude

My Department received more than 1.000 responses to the 1985 Green Paper "The Recording and Rental of Audio and Video Copyright Material" and the 1986 White Paper "Intellectual Property and Innovation" both of which addressed the question of a levy on blank tape. A large proportion of respondents commented on that question and the majority were opposed to the introduction of a levy. Since the Copyright, Designs and Patents Bill was published in October 1987, my Department has dealt with 80 further representations on the matter and of these, 42 were in favour of a levy and 38 against.