HC Deb 09 May 1995 vol 259 c378W
Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the names of foreign organisations or individuals who have been(a) negotiating with the trustees or (b) bidding for the Churchill Trust Papers over the past five years. [22945]

Mr. Dorrell

This is a matter for the Churchill family trustees.

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if he will publish the legal advice he has received on the ownership of copyright of the Churchill papers; [22120]

(2) when his Department began inquiries into the ownership of copyright of the Churchill papers; and at what cost in legal advice and action; [22121]

(3) what advice he has taken on the ownership of copyright of the Churchill papers. [22122]

Mr. Dorrell

[holding answer 2 May 1995]: The Government have received advice that copyright in state papers belongs to the Crown. It has also been advised that it does not own the copyright in the non-state papers in the Churchill archive.

The Government took advice on these subjects in July 1991 and again in May 1994. The advice cost £3,100 exclusive of VAT.