asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will continue to extend the derogation from the European Union directive on artists' resale rights, which limits the impact of the right to the work of living artists. [HL2175]

The current directive provides an option for the UK to extend the derogation from 2010 to 2012. Exercising this option would require the UK to make a formal request to the European Commission before 1 January 2009 and this issue is currently under consideration.