Written question asked by Lord Swire (Conservative) on Monday, 21 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 March 2005. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 March 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her Department's estimate is of the proportion of art sales that may be diverted from the United Kingdom following implementation of European Union Directive 2001/84/EC, Artist's Resale Right Directive. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's estimate is of the proportion of art sales that may be diverted from the United Kingdom following implementation of European Union Directive 2001/84/EC, Artist's Resale Right Directive. [217665] Ms Hewitt: I have been asked to reply. A number of factors influence the choice of location of a sale, including the location at which the highest price will be achieved and seller's fees. It seems likely that for many sales the cost of relocating would exceed any saving on royalty and would prevent diversion. In addition, based on figures provided by the art market for the 2001-02 season, the total value of the market was £4,227 million and of this £442 million (approximately 10 per cent.) worth of these sales would attract a royalty payment if the right was applied to works by living and deceased artists. If the right was applied only to works by living artists £64.8 million (less than 2 per cent.) worth of the total value of sales would attract a royalty payment. The Patent Office has asked interested parties during the present consultation for any information which would help complete the partial impact assessment, and will be commissioning further economic analysis during the consultation process.

Secondary information