§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the Government's plans, in the light of the European Commission's Green Paper on copyright and the challenge of new technology, to ensure that consumers(a) can contine to purchase blank audio cassettes without a levy and (b) are not denied access to new recording technology.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Commission's Green Paper does not propose a Communitywide levy on blank audio cassettes and the Government have no intention of introducing such a levy in the United Kingdom. Developments in recording technology need to take account of the interests of copyright owners, but the Government do not believe this should be done by inhibiting consumer choice when acquiring new technology.