HC Deb 20 October 1966 vol 734 cc387-8
25. Dr. David Owen

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he did not take the advice of the Gallery directors on the Advisory Committee on the Export of Works of Art when they opposed the proposal to raise the limit of control to £2,000 on the grounds that this increased the chances of items of artistic or historical interest leaving the country.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Miss Jennie Lee)

The reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art unanimously recommended this change, which was accepted in July. Allowing for the rapid inflation in value of works of art in recent years, the new value limit is still lower than the original recommendation of the Waverley Committee in 1952. May I add that no advice to the contrary was submitted to me by gallery directors.

Dr. Owen

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Will she consider keeping the limit low, lower than it is now, and not allowing it to rise persistently as it has in the last few years?

Miss Lee

I assure my hon. Friend that I am keenly concerned to give every encouragement to the regional galleries, and perhaps we could have a talk about it as soon as the report of the Reviewing Committee is out next month.

Mr. Robert Cooke

How does the right hon. Lady hope to stop the export of national treasures which have no monetary value?