HC Deb 25 February 2002 vol 380 cc871-2W
Mr. Sedgemore

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the future of music copyright. [34232]

Ms Melanie Johnson

The protection of music copyright will be further improved by the EC Directive on copyright in the Information Society which is due to be implemented by 22 December this year. The Government are also supporting a Private Member's Bill

Objective area Number of projects Committed grant (£ million) Committed grant as percentage of total grant paid (£ million) Grant paid as percentage of total
South Yorkshire 192 198.2 27.96 48.5 6.84
Merseyside 674 152.0 18.00 78.9 9.34
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly 180 75.6 24.57 10.6 3.45
West Wales and the Valleys 441 301.2 26.4 68.2 5.98

that increases the criminal penalties for music piracy. The Government will continue to maintain close contact with the music industry on copyright issues.