Mr. POINTERasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the willingness of certain owners to sell to the highest bidder works of art that cannot be replaced, he will consider the desirability of having a schedule made of these which are in private hands and which ought to be retained in this country; and whether he will propose legislation giving the Government power to prohibit their export?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not prepared to introduce legislation in the sense suggested by the hon. Member; but the subject referred to in his question has been under my consideration for some time.