§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he expects the draft Directive on artists' resale rights to be decided on at the next meeting of the Internal Market Council. [69277]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 4 February 1999]: The draft Directive on artists' resale rights is expected to be on the agenda for the meeting of the Internal Market Council on 25 February. While a large majority of member states, unlike the United Kingdom, support the principle of harmonisation in this area, it is not yet clear whether it will be ready for agreement by then. The Government are continuing to make clear their opposition to this measure, and are working to try to minimise the damage it would do to the competitiveness of the UK's international art market.